Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stepped out of Herbert's car.

Herbert got out as well, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trench coat. He watched her go, his expression soft, his gaze lingering as she walked toward the house.

She'd barely taken a few steps when his voice called out, quiet but clear. "Little Mute."

Jessica turned back.

Herbert's lips parted, as if he'd meant to say something else, but he simply said, "Goodnight."

Jessica smiled and signed goodnight in sign language.

Herbert stood there, motionless, watching until she disappeared inside.

Upstairs, Timothy pinched his cigarette between his fingers, snapping it in half. The glowing tip scattered sparks onto the floor. He turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

Ding-

Jessica keyed in her code. The door swung open. She hadn't even reached for the light switch when strong arms swept her inside, pinning her against the door as someone's lips crashed onto hers.

A faint scent of tobacco, edged with cedar, filled her senses.

It took only a moment for her to realize it was Timothy.

She tried to pull away, but he'd already trapped her wrists, his grip iron-strong, his body pressing her immobile.

was nowhere to

cool wood biting through

fierce, possessive, his heated breath mingling with

Jessica's nerves

Tears

Her resistance, feeble against his strength,

to cup Timothy's face with both hands, he seemed to think she was surrendering, leaning in for

But then-crack.

open palm landed hard against his

the side, a few pale fingerprints blooming on his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in an instant, snuffed out

reached out and flicked

her arms over her chest, her breath coming in shaky gasps. Her tear-filled eyes

some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit

tears, her silent accusation hanging heavy in the

the silence, cold and

spent the night

Just the two of them.

a divorce. How

Her shirt was already missing buttons, torn

her movements sharp

eyes narrowed, a sneer curling his lips. "Don't