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But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it.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.

the divorce papers-so why was Jessica

Abell were quietly delighted to see Jessica return, though they had no idea what Timothy had done

was back, maybe there

Sandra said, beaming. "Timothy's been so

lately. We all hope you two can work

polite for the benefit of Jessica's

Abell wanted to get closer to Jessica-she was, after all, their

everything Timothy had put her through, they felt deeply awkward

her part, was distant as ever. She went

Once inside, she locked the door behind

Timothy. "How'd you convince her to

worry about it," he muttered, not wanting to explain.

clearly wanted the house to

offended.

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

couple was elderly; he didn't

Sheila. "Are you coming home with us? If

can't leave yet. I'm still learning from Ines, and I haven't finished

things developed between Timothy and Jessica. If she left now, she'd be out

was stubborn as ever; he hadn't even told

to Sheila. "Go buy yourself an apartment. It's not really appropriate to stay here

off. "Mom,

here to keep you company

my own apartment."

time, Timothy didn't try to make anyone

relationship with Jessica was already rocky

on top

"All right, then. Settled."