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But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it.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

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

they had

was back, maybe there was

home," Sandra said,

you lately. We all hope

chimed in, polite for the benefit of Jessica's

get closer to Jessica-she

had put her through, they felt deeply awkward and didn't know how to

was distant as ever. She went

there. Once inside,

to Timothy. "How'd

he muttered, not wanting to explain. "When are you two heading

the house to

offended.

a long

Timothy offered. The couple was elderly;

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

learning from Ines, and I haven't finished

eye on how things developed between Timothy

hadn't even told the Zimmerman family that Jessica was

a card and handed it to Sheila. "Go buy yourself an apartment. It's not really appropriate to

waved her off. "Mom,

to keep you company Once you

my own apartment."

didn't try

was already rocky enough-he

feelings on top of

"All right, then. Settled."