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,

next group came

He missed her.

felt

been missing her

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

the simple wish to hold her

Whisper Estates, Timothy made

searching for their

out

both of them wore crisp white

how to savor

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 media

the corners of his

like that, once-eyes soft, happiness shining through every gentle

the frame upstairs, Timothy went to the master bedroom, sat down, and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until

it,

bedroom looked just as it

yet, something was

a slow circle around the

he sank onto the

knew what was

Love.

Jessica's love.

her, this wasn't

haven he could retreat to

He'd lost his wife.

out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as

the credits

and the others' promotional livestream. The

his phone, jotting down notes. He still wasn't satisfied with

put away his phone and followed him out of the

Vince took the

passenger

keep