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.

to pull away, but he'd already trapped her

nowhere to

wood biting through

was fierce, possessive, his heated breath mingling with hers, as

Jessica's nerves sparked at

welled up. Tears pricked at

feeble against his strength, was

both hands, he seemed to

But then-crack.

open palm landed hard against

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

and flicked on

instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, her breath coming in shaky gasps. Her tear-filled eyes glared at Timothy, raw and

jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended

trembled with unshed tears, her

cold and flat. "What,

the night with

the two of them. Who knew what

asking for a divorce.

Her shirt was already

glared at him, battered and furious, her movements sharp as she signed angrily, I told you-I want a

sneer curling his lips. "Don't