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.

remained, still

didn't move until the next group came in for the following

He missed her.

missed her so much it felt like his heart might

been missing her

from that business trip to attend Henry's father-son event, they hadn't really spent

hold her felt

Whisper Estates, Timothy made his

for their

it out of a

of them wore crisp white

always known how to

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 was braided

the same as the one he'd seen in

the corners

at him like that, once-eyes soft, happiness shining through every

and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until it gleamed, then hung the photo back in its place on

it, surveying

back up, the bedroom

yet, something was still

the master suite, searching for what it

sank onto the couch,

what

Love.

Jessica's love.

this

the haven he could

He'd lost his wife.

flying over the screen as he

credits had

watch Carliste and the others' promotional livestream. The siblings laughed

most of the movie on his phone, jotting

to leave. Yates put away his phone and followed him out of

before, Vince took the

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

sit up front and keep me company," Vince