Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 143

"Jessica."

Timothy's voice brushed against her ear, low and warm, his breath stirring the air between them and making her head spin.

"Try to get some sleep."

His hand moved gently over her lower abdomen, soothing her.

Her heart fluttered and ached at once.

He didn't even realize how seductive his tenderness was.

Before long, she drifted off, lost in a hazy, comforting drowsiness.

The next morning.

Jessica opened her eyes to find the bed beside her empty. From the bathroom came the soft sounds of running water and the clink of toiletries.

She slipped out from under the covers. To her surprise, the cramps she'd suffered the night before had vanished completely.

Timothy stepped out of the bathroom.

He looked impeccable-dressed in a crisp suit, hair neatly combed, clean-shaven and radiant. Handsome to the point of perfection.

you sleeping

the clock. It was already nearing nine. Not exactly

stand up when Timothy strode over,

second as her feet left the ground,

with concern. "Save your

blue electric toothbrush, squeezed out a perfect stripe

stronger, she thought, I'll never

lounged against the wall, half-lidding his eyes. His voice was soft and casual. "I cleared my schedule for the next few days. I'll be home on time every night. I'll make arrangements for you to start

then signed to him, "Can I handle things with

give her supervisor hope only to

as a pretext

a way for Sheila to become the supervisor's student. Always so

it would only make things more complicated for her down

for a moment. "Alright," he said finally. "You know Ines better. Once you've talked it over, let me know. I'll make sure you're placed in

was willing to compromise, clearly wanting to keep things stable

away for work was out of the question; nothing could

cared about Sheila too much—surely he wouldn't just ignore her

finished getting ready,

Sheila were nowhere to be seen.

fetched a sun hat that matched her outfit and placed it gently on her

he woke up. You weren't feeling well last night, so I