Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 340

"Herbert, you don't need to worry about me. I've made it to Aetherion, but..."

Jessica's hands stilled mid-sign.

Herbert knew all too well how much she'd suffered with Timothy, and he'd been hoping for the day she could finally break free. Yet, now that she was here in Aetherion, he didn't feel as relieved or overjoyed as he'd imagined.

He remembered Timothy's threats, written all over his face that day-he'd made it clear he wouldn't let anyone take her away. For her to escape Timothy's grasp, Herbert could only imagine what it had cost her.

He didn't know the details, but the evidence was there: bruised fingerprints on her cheek and a small split at the corner of her mouth.

Jessica noticed Herbert watching her in silence, and continued signing, "My throat hurts..."

Herbert snapped out of his thoughts, concern sharpening his voice. "Is it bad?"

Jessica nodded.

"All right, turn on a lamp and use your phone to take a picture of your throat for me. Let me have a look. And what happened? Why does it hurt so much all of a sudden?"

that night-the humiliation-made her chest tighten. She'd barely had the strength to seek out Vince afterward. As for anyone

signed, "I strained my voice

her vocal rehab exercises as prescribed. She'd wanted so desperately to

said, "Okay, I'll let you go. Send me the photos as soon as you

searched the room, eventually finding a small flashlight. She tied it to the vanity mirror with a scarf, opened her mouth, and leaned

ached where the bruises lingered. It took a moment before she could manage to open wide enough, snapping

she could tell-the

came quickly, his worry evident in the terse set

From the looks of it, her throat had

was just from overdoing her

hurried to prescribe medication, not letting his thoughts spiral any further for now. Once the prescription was ready, he messaged Jessica, asking

sent him her location

later,

a soft mild diet soups, purees, nothing too hot room temperature is

with embarrassment. She looked away, unable to meet the

want to talk about what