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.

ate quietly, then returned

health these days,

bother her at all

late. By the time he arrived,

the master bedroom

for the guest

He opened it and pulled out

Jessica was eight;

seven at the time,

same year she lost her voice-probably

she have formed such a deep bond with her adoptive mother in just a

live with her grandmother in the house where she

tried everything to get her treatment, even getting swindled out of a large sum. Overworked and devastated, her grandmother

or thirteen, survived on her own skills

noticed her and offered sponsorship that life started to

through the file, wave after wave

neglected her

giving her a comfortable life was enough a

girl who couldn't

never tried to truly understand

to the study and fetched

quietly unlocked the

on

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

more weight.

was still

features, he could see traces

mute,

mute

never crossed his mind. She hadn't had much

Even when she did no one would have ever imagined

Kon

once commented that Yates's personality reminded him a bit

mind was a tangle of

touch her face, but

such lengths,