Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 44

Jessica stepped out of Herbert's car.

Herbert got out as well, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trench coat. He watched her go, his expression soft, his gaze lingering as she walked toward the house.

She'd barely taken a few steps when his voice called out, quiet but clear. "Little Mute."

Jessica turned back.

Herbert's lips parted, as if he'd meant to say something else, but he simply said, "Goodnight."

Jessica smiled and signed goodnight in sign language.

Herbert stood there, motionless, watching until she disappeared inside.

Upstairs, Timothy pinched his cigarette between his fingers, snapping it in half. The glowing tip scattered sparks onto the floor. He turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

Ding-

Jessica keyed in her code. The door swung open. She hadn't even reached for the light switch when strong arms swept her inside, pinning her against the door as someone's lips crashed onto hers.

A faint scent of tobacco, edged with cedar, filled her senses.

It took only a moment for her to realize it was Timothy.

trapped her

nowhere to

the door, the cool wood biting through her

breath mingling with

hands slid along her waist, his touch hot against her skin. Jessica's nerves

up. Tears pricked

Her resistance, feeble against his strength,

he seemed to think she

But then-crack.

landed

a few pale fingerprints blooming on his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in an instant,

out and flicked

in shaky gasps. Her tear-filled eyes glared at Timothy, raw and

torn away, hair in disarray-while Timothy, save for some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit the composed

with unshed tears, her silent accusation hanging heavy in the

moment, Timothy's voice broke the silence, cold and flat. "What, I can't

the

them. Who knew what had

a divorce. How could he expect her to

after that? Her shirt was

and furious, her movements sharp as she signed angrily, I told you-I

narrowed, a sneer curling his lips.