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 wrists, his grip iron-strong, his body

was nowhere to

the cool wood biting through her clothes,

possessive, his heated breath mingling with hers, as if he wanted to consume

slid along her waist, his touch hot against her skin. Jessica's nerves sparked at his every movement,

Tears pricked at

couldn't speak. Her resistance, feeble against his strength,

managed to cup Timothy's face with both hands, he seemed to think she was

But then-crack.

palm landed

blooming on his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in

reached out and flicked on the

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

save for some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended to be. But his eyes, dark and bottomless, brimmed with barely

trembled with unshed tears, her silent

moment, Timothy's voice broke the silence, cold

spent the night with

Just the two of them. Who

for a divorce. How

was

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

eyes narrowed, a sneer curling