Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's eyes were glued to the screen, unmoving.

Even as the credits rolled and disappeared, Jessica's name lingered before his mind's eye, floating there as if the darkness itself couldn't swallow it.

She'd married him just a few months after graduating college.

He'd never shortchanged her when it came to money, not once.

Still, she lived frugally, turning the Gilded Whisper Estates into a well-ordered, peaceful home. The household account always matched her meticulous budget down to the last cent.

He'd only discovered her ledgers by accident one day. He told her there was no need to keep such detailed records-it was all just for the house, after all.

She insisted, saying that even if money came easily to him, it shouldn't be wasted. Luck, she said, was fragile and easily squandered-the hardest thing in the world to regain.

Timothy never understood her thinking.

And he never wanted to argue about it.

So he let it go.

A few days ago, he'd opened the safe.

Everything was still there. Not a single thing missing.

So where had she gotten the money to invest in this film?

Timothy couldn't figure it out, no matter how many times he turned it over in his head.

And this animated film-he wasn't an expert, but even he could see it had all the makings of a hit.

Unlike the usual movies set in either contemporary or historical times, this one unfolded in the future—a unique blend of science fiction and tradition, with a style all its own.

He'd never known his wife had this kind of talent-not just animating, but writing scripts too.

Even he, a man not prone to sentimental displays, had immediately thought of his own mother. There were several scenes that stung his eyes, made him blink back a sudden rush of tears.

Her stories of family, of love-they hit home, sharp and true.

The film's production was first-rate, too.

Soon, the theater seats around him emptied.

Timothy remained, still

group came

He missed her.

so much it felt like his

missing her for

back from that business trip to attend Henry's father-son event, they hadn't really spent much time together. In a blink, more than

simple wish to hold her felt

Estates, Timothy made his way to the

for their

it out

of them wore crisp white

how to

pin it in her hair with a clip. Her long black hair was braided and draped over her left

the one he'd seen in Vince's social media posts a smile that lit up her whole

the corners of

once-eyes soft,

to the master bedroom, sat down, and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until it gleamed, then hung

stood before it, surveying the

bedroom

yet, something

the master suite, searching for what it

sank onto the couch,

knew what was

Love.

Jessica's love.

this wasn't home

It wasn't peaceful. It wasn't the haven he could retreat to at the end

He'd lost his wife.

his fingers flying over

the credits had

had taken her to watch Carliste and the others' promotional

movie on his phone, jotting down notes.

called him to leave. Yates put away his phone

before, Vince took

didn't head to the passenger seat but

up front and keep me