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

the next group

He missed her.

felt like his heart might split

been missing

father-son event, they hadn't really spent much

hold her felt like a luxury

Timothy made his way to

searching for their marriage registration

it out of a

the frame, both of them wore crisp white shirts, the

how to savor

got their marriage certificate, she'd brought along a simple white veil, asking him to help pin it in her hair with a clip. Her long black hair

the one he'd seen in Vince's social

felt the corners of his mouth

that, once-eyes soft,

of wipes. He cleaned the glass until it gleamed, then hung

it, surveying

bedroom

yet, something was still

paced a slow circle around the master suite, searching for

onto

what was

Love.

Jessica's love.

this wasn't

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

He'd lost his wife.

fingers flying over the screen

credits

the others' promotional livestream. The siblings laughed and

his phone, jotting

Yates put away

before, Vince took the

time, Yates didn't head to the passenger seat but slid into the

up front and keep