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

door, the cool wood biting through her clothes, chilling

kiss was fierce, possessive, his heated breath mingling with hers, as if he wanted to

hot against her skin. Jessica's nerves sparked at his every movement, her body

welled up. Tears pricked at her

resistance, feeble against his

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

But then-crack.

open palm landed

skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in

out and

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

mess-clothes rumpled, buttons torn away, hair in disarray-while Timothy, save for some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended to

her silent

broke the silence, cold and flat. "What, I can't even

spent the night with

them. Who knew

divorce. How could he expect

shirt was already missing

battered and furious, her movements sharp as she

eyes narrowed, a sneer curling his lips.