Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"For this one-month cooling-off period, you'll stay at home. I won't interfere with your work or restrict your freedom. Just remember, until we're officially divorced, you're still my wife-so don't embarrass me."

Jessica managed a weary smile.

"All right. Let's get it over with."

She finished signing, walked with Timothy out to his car.

"Jessy."

Vince called after her.

She paused for the briefest moment, but in the end, climbed into Timothy's car without a word.

Jessica stayed silent the entire drive.

At the courthouse, the divorce registration went smoothly.

Originally, Timothy had hoped Jessica would at least pretend for a month that their marriage was intact.

But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it. Just having her come home felt like a small miracle-he'd settle for that, for now.

The agreement lay ready-drafted by Timothy, in the same way he'd tricked her into coming home last time.

Everything Jessica was owed, Timothy included.

Jessica had no interest in the details; she didn't want any more trouble or delays. She simply signed her name on Timothy's contract.

She didn't make a scene. After leaving the courthouse, she went back to The Gilded Whisper Estates with Timothy.

Inside, Sandra and Abell, along with Sheila, were waiting.

seen Timothy sign the divorce papers-so why was Jessica coming back with

return, though they had no idea what Timothy had done to

back,

Sandra said, beaming. "Timothy's been so

all hope

chimed in, polite for the benefit of Jessica's

wanted to get closer to Jessica-she was, after

felt deeply awkward and

as ever. She went straight to the master

still there. Once inside, she locked

"How'd you convince her to

not wanting to explain. "When are you

clearly wanted the house

offended.

like you two are in for a long cold war-thanks to you, we're all on her blacklist. She

drive you," Timothy offered. The couple was elderly; he didn't like the idea

with us? If you are, we can all go together-no need to

still learning from

eye on how things developed between Timothy and Jessica. If she left now, she'd

even told the Zimmerman family that

out a card and handed it to Sheila. "Go buy yourself an apartment. It's

off.

a place. I'm just staying here to keep you

my own apartment."

try to make

with Jessica was already

feelings on top

"All right, then. Settled."