Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 61

Jessica never knew that falling in love with someone could be inherited.

"What? You said Dad went with you? Oh no, why didn't you take me? Why did you leave me at home alone? I want to go too..."

Jessica had just picked up the scissors. The moment she squeezed the handles, she accidentally snipped her own finger.

A bright bead of blood welled up instantly, vivid and red.

She stared at her bleeding fingertip, eyes empty, her mind blank.

She sat there in a daze for several minutes before Henry came over again.

"Mom, Dad wants to talk to you."

Henry switched his smartwatch to speaker mode.

Timothy's low, slightly hoarse voice crackled from the tiny speaker.

"Jessica, Henry wants to come to Aetherion. Book a flight to Marisbright and bring him over. We're getting married, and you still haven't met my grandfather. Take this chance to visit him."

Jessica couldn't respond; the smartwatch didn't allow for it.

tell her to check her messages, then hang up. At other times, he'd say what he needed right then and there-no need for a message, just a command, a notice

one of those times: as soon as he finished speaking, he hung

screen: the caller ID

used Sheila's phone for the

his wrist and sidled up close to Jessica, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mom,

scent of perfume on his clothes-the

that morning, which meant Henry had spent the morning

face and suddenly felt he was a stranger. Six years of motherhood, and she'd been replaced in

supposed

plain sight, but Henry didn't seem to notice at

"Mom?"

faded; he frowned in confusion. "Can't

she could

out her injured hand, showing him the bloody

had stained her

hand. You can

heart go cold-utterly,

a word, she left Henry and walked to

palm up, heading for