Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 72

Herbert shot to his feet, gripping Sallie's arm tightly. His voice was sharp with anger. "What do you think you're doing?"

Jessica blinked water from her eyes, finally realizing that it was Sallie standing there.

Sallie winced-Herbert's grip was bruising her wrist.

She scowled, twisting and pulling, trying to wrench herself free. "You brute! You're hurting me. Do you even know who I am? Get your filthy hands off me!"

"I don't care who you are," Herbert snapped. "Apologize to her. Now!"

His temples pulsed with fury, and a pang of guilt gnawed at him. How had he let his guard down enough for someone to bully Little Mute-Jessica-right in front of him?

Jessica scrambled to her feet and hurriedly signed to Herbert, her hands moving fast. "Let her go. She's Timothy's sister."

Herbert's grip loosened just enough for Sallie to yank her arm free. She immediately raised a hand, winding up to slap him.

stepped in

landed squarely-on Jessica

anger, and bright

her own hand in a brief, panicked daze. She

there was a roughness he couldn't hide. He hated the idea of ever raising a hand to a

saw Herbert tense, ready to step forward. She quickly grabbed his arm,

pressed his tongue to his cheek,

seemed, any trace of remorse vanished. "Jessica, don't forget-you're Timothy's wife! He leaves the country for a few days and you're out here flirting with some random guy? Have

low and steady. "Little Mute, is this how his family always treats

to make a scene, or let Herbert realize just how bad things were for her in the Lawson family. She'd brought this

sneered, shooting Jessica a sideways glance, her words

ready

and quickly signed to him, "Herbert, I'm sorry. Please, just go. I'll make it

protest. But then, wary of Sallie butting in, he replied in sign language as well.