Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should hand her phone to Herbert.

But Herbert had already slipped it from her grasp.

He tapped away in the app store, quickly downloading a new app.

After a moment, he typed a line into the app: "Little Mute, how does this voice sound?"

A stranger's female voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Do you like it?"

He typed again, the same gentle voice repeating his words.

Jessica realized the sound was coming from the necklace.

Her eyes lit up with surprise. She had never seen a necklace like this-it was fascinating.

And the voice sounded eerily similar to her own, as if it carried echoes of her past.

Jessica hadn't been born mute.

Herbert handed her phone back to her.

"With this app, you just type what you want to say," he explained. "The software can mimic your tone, too. And the more you use it, the more natural it gets."

Jessica's heart skipped. The prospect was tempting.

because, after they'd reconnected, he'd begged

notes or type messages on her phone and

this necklace, she could just type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would save her time,

this

phone: "It's too

necklace's voice matched not just her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly the way she imagined

diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd be upset it

was it?

you're quibbling over a little

his kindness stand and typed

Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet,

goodbye and watching

disappeared down the street, she turned and unlocked her

a warm, strong hand caught her wrist, pinning her against

Jessica looked up.

eyes met Timothy's,

to push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was unmovable—tall,

box with the necklace

couldn't speak, and with one hand

open the lid with his thumb, studying the necklace

matched the ring he had