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.

only knew it because, after they'd reconnected, he'd begged her

had to scribble notes or type messages on her phone

more awkward moments or

this size

into her phone: "It's too valuable. I

matched not just her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly

necklace into her hand. "Silly, the diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd be upset it

Jessica typed, "How much was it? Let me

you're quibbling over a little gift? Are you trying

his kindness stand

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

goodbye and watching as he

car disappeared down the street, she turned

warm, strong hand caught

Jessica looked up.

eyes met Timothy's, his

hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was unmovable—tall, powerful, impossible

sliding the box with

one hand trapped, she

with his

he had once bought