Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy scrolled through Twitter, reading the flood of comments people were posting.

This is completely off-base, he thought, frustration knotting in his chest.

If Jessica saw all this, she'd be furious.

He started typing up a tweet, preparing to set the record straight. He'd only gotten

a few words out when his phone buzzed in his hand.

Jessica was calling.

His heart thudded so hard it felt like it might leap right out of his chest.

He fumbled to answer.

"Mr. Lawson."

The formal edge in her voice caught him off-guard, lodging in his throat like a fishbone.

"I'm here," he replied, his voice tight.

Jessica sounded cold and annoyed. "Really working the publicity angle, aren't you? Don't you think it's pretty low, using even a disabled person to get attention?"

So she'd seen everything, just as he'd feared.

Timothy let out a shaky breath. "It's not what you think. I— I only found out today that you invested in the film. I tweeted about it after seeing the director's post this morning. I just wanted to help promote the movie."

getting divorced. Why did you post our marriage certificate? Didn't you use to blame me for making our marriage public? You accused me of things I never did—and now you think it's fine to

someone had switched off

out; he could almost hear

to blame you for posting the marriage certificate before. That weekend, when I called you back to the old house, I found out from Grandpa that he was the one who made it public. It had

remembered how he'd chased after her to apologize, but she wouldn't forgive him, no matter

now you remember you misjudged me? Now you want

not do this?" His

you delete your

No way.

He couldn't do it.

wanted the world to know she was his

turned mocking. "See? You're always the

of

are they?"

to ask

told him he was selfish, that he and Jessica saw

why

He needed to change.

it" His words

but softened

go a little easier

I do?"

the old

this version, all thorns and walls, every word cutting him