Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica froze, her body tensing for a split second before she shoved Timothy

away with all her strength. She yanked the comforter up to shield herself, glaring at him with a wariness that hadn't been there before.

"It was just a kiss. Was that really necessary?" Timothy scoffed.

She never used to react like this.

Her rejection stoked his frustration-ever since Herbert Wheeler had shown up, Jessica hardly let Timothy touch her at all.

Jessica silently cursed her inability to speak; if she could, she would have called him a creep to his face.

As if he even realized where he'd tried to kiss her.

After making sure the blanket was secure around her, Jessica reached out and signed, "Trying to pull that stunt in broad daylight at the hospital? Get out. I'll change by myself."

Timothy's irritation softened, if only a little.

She was shy-especially in the middle of the day, in a hospital room no less. With her temperament, of course she couldn't accept it.

As long as she wasn't pushing him away for another man, he could live with it.

He was still coaxing her, after all; the last thing he wanted was to drive her so far that she'd never come home again.

he left the

hurry and slipped out of the

caught her hand and led her toward

home. When they returned to The Gilded Whisper Estates, Henry was nestled up against Sheila, chatting with her. "Miss Sheila, could you please talk to my dad? Tell

Timothy's voice was cold, sharp

he'd received at the paper-cutting contest that morning, he shrank back and clung to Sheila's arm, hiding behind

could talk Timothy out of this. She didn't want a

turned to Timothy. "You shouldn't be so harsh with Henry all the time. It's not

appeared and announced, "Sir, ma'am, dinner's ready. You

had intended to lecture Henry, but with dinner ready and guests

nor Jessica had eaten lunch, so he

Jessica's hand, leading her to the dining room. Pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman, he

over, and the two of them sat across from Timothy

ladled a bowl of soup for Jessica and set it in front

was gentle,

as if her heart were being

of tenderness had

kept her head

Sheila was there or not, it barely

kept serving Jessica, picking out pieces

the fish before placing it on