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.

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

to scribble notes or

moments or delays waiting for someone to read

diamond this size

her phone: "It's too valuable. I can't

her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly

necklace into her hand. "Silly, the diamond's just a replica. I was worried

typed, "How much was it? Let me

and you're quibbling over a little gift?

his kindness stand and typed two

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

and watching as he

his car disappeared down the street,

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

Jessica looked up.

met Timothy's,

away, hand pressed against his solid chest,

sliding the box with the necklace

and with one

lid with his thumb, studying the

the ring he had