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.

everyone could read sign language. Herbert only knew it because, after they'd reconnected, he'd

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

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

diamond this

"It's too valuable. I can't

voice matched not just her words, but her own

into her hand. "Silly, the diamond's just a replica.

much was it? Let me pay

other in years, and you're quibbling over a little gift?

his kindness stand and typed two words: "Thank

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

car disappeared down the street, she turned and unlocked

inside when a warm, strong hand caught her wrist, pinning her against the

Jessica looked up.

dark eyes met Timothy's, his gaze brooding

push him away, hand pressed against his

sliding the box

speak, and with one hand trapped,

lid with

he