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.

in

landed squarely-on

and bright red marks appeared instantly on Jessica's

froze, staring down at her own hand in a brief, panicked daze. She hadn't meant to

self-control snapped. Even behind glasses that lent him a bookish air, there was a roughness he couldn't hide. He hated the idea of ever raising a hand to a woman,

grabbed his

pressed his tongue to his cheek, barely containing

Jessica and Herbert seemed, any trace of remorse vanished. "Jessica, don't forget-you're Timothy's wife! He

to Jessica, voice low and steady. "Little Mute, is this how his

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

Sallie sneered, shooting Jessica a sideways glance, her

looked ready to

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

about to protest. But then, wary of Sallie butting in, he replied in sign language as well. "She's got the attitude of a spoiled princess. If I leave, what if she