Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Soon, the rumble of a car engine drifted in from outside.

Jessica emerged from the bathroom, having just brushed her teeth.

Henry was standing in her room, his small face scrunched up in a look of reproach.

She glanced at Henry with indifference, then walked over to the sitting area, poured herself a glass of milk, and opened her laptop to read the script Mr. Smith had sent her.

She acted as though Henry wasn't even there.

Henry couldn't believe it.

He'd come all the way to his mom's room-and she was treating him like thin air!

Fuming, he marched over and slammed the laptop shut.

"Mom, why are you ignoring me?"

did Jessica look up, meeting Henry's

had already made it

competition? I'm your son! Did you really want me

to me like Miss Sheila? You weren't like this before— what's gotten into you

these years married to Dad, with

embarrassing to finally have a

all his pent-up frustration in a single

Timothy were now just two separate people. Once the marriage ended, they could have easily become

But Henry was different.

child she'd carried for nine months, her own flesh and

matter what happened between her and Timothy. Even if they

lifted her hand in disappointment. "If you hadn't tried to deceive people, how would you have lost face? A person of integrity, who truly understands gratitude, is admired and respected by others. Tell me, are you that

left speechless

hold it in anymore and shouted, "It's all because you're a mute! If you weren't mute, I wouldn't have let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom. Have you

Smack-

ashamed because I can't speak? What right do you have to win any prize, or care about your reputation? You'd rather have a