Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"She can talk now. I'd like you to come over and help her with her illness."

Timothy spoke calmly, making his intentions clear.

Herbert let out a cold laugh. "I've been treating her all this time—she's almost cured. So what's with the act? You think just because you're asking me to help her now, it somehow makes up for all the pain you've caused her? That's wishful thinking."

Timothy's voice remained even. "Instead of sneaking around to help her, why not do it openly, with my permission?"

Jessica had told him she couldn't leave for at least a month. She hadn't gone into details, but Herbert knew there must be a good reason.

He didn't want to agree to Timothy's proposal, but in truth, it was the best option right now.

Face-to-face treatment always worked better. The fact that she could speak again was a huge step forward.

If Timothy was reaching out to arrange her treatment, then Jessica must have already returned home.

Timothy was a master at manipulating people's emotions.

Even knowing this, Herbert finally agreed.

Hearing Jessica speak again had always been her dream—and his. He felt responsible to see it through to the end.

After the call ended, Timothy didn't disturb Jessica.

Henry was still staying at the Lawson estate for now. Knowing Jessica probably

didn't want to see him, he headed to the office instead.

Around lunchtime, Mabel knocked on Jessica's bedroom door.

"Ma'am, lunch is ready."

Mabel didn't know the full story between Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, but it was clear enough that Jessica wanted to avoid her husband. Mabel quickly added, "Mr. Lawson's gone out."

She was worried Jessica might skip lunch and go hungry.

Only then did Jessica set down her mouse and open the door.

Mabel smiled. "We made all your favorites for lunch."

"Thank you." Jessica pressed her thumb to her chest in a gesture of gratitude.

quietly, then

risk her health these days, nor would she neglect her

didn't bother her

the time he arrived, Mabel told him Jessica had already gone to

master bedroom door and found

headed for

He

when Jessica was eight; her

have been seven at

that same year she lost her voice-probably from the trauma of her

she'd gone missing when she was six. How could she have formed such a deep bond with her adoptive mother in just a

to live with her grandmother in the house where she still

treatment, even getting swindled out of a large sum. Overworked and devastated, her grandmother fell seriously ill and

only twelve or thirteen, survived on her own skills

and

the file, wave after wave of guilt washing over

neglected her far

giving her a comfortable life was enough a

for a girl

never tried to truly understand

wheelchair, Timothy went to the study and

unlocked

turned on the

the soft light, he watched her sleep-she looked so fragile, as if she'd lost

more weight.

she was still

he could see traces of

mute, so

mute

mind. She hadn't

all these years. Even when she did no one would have ever imagined she might be related to

Kon

that Yates's personality reminded him a bit

was a tangle of

her face, but pulled his hand back, afraid

gone to such