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.

could read sign language. Herbert only knew it because, after

else, she had to scribble notes or type messages on her phone

just type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would

diamond this size

her phone: "It's too valuable.

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

the diamond's just a replica.

much was it? Let me

you're quibbling over a

his kindness stand

rest," Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep. Don't

waving goodbye and watching as

down the street, she turned and

inside when a warm, strong hand caught her

Jessica looked up.

met Timothy's, his gaze

tried to push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was

down, sliding the box with the necklace

with one hand trapped, she couldn't

lid with his thumb, studying the necklace

matched the ring he had once bought