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?"

of that night-the humiliation-made her chest tighten. She'd barely had the strength to seek out Vince afterward. As for anyone else, she could never

signed, "I strained my voice too

wanted so desperately to speak again, but he hadn't expected her to push herself

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

small flashlight. She tied it to the vanity mirror with a scarf,

manage to open wide enough, snapping several photos and picking out the clearest ones

she could tell-the

quickly, his worry evident in the terse set

From the looks of it, her throat had suffered more than just vocal

just

letting his thoughts spiral any further for now. Once the prescription was ready, he messaged Jessica, asking for her address so he

quickly sent him her location and

minutes later, Herbert

now, you need to stick to a soft mild diet soups, purees, nothing too hot

looked away, unable to

talk about