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.

nowhere

wood biting through her clothes,

his heated breath mingling with hers, as if he wanted to consume

her skin. Jessica's nerves sparked at his every movement, her body trembling out

welled up. Tears pricked at

feeble against his strength,

she finally managed to cup Timothy's face with both hands, he seemed

But then-crack.

open palm landed hard against his

his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in an instant,

reached out and

chest, her breath coming in shaky gasps. Her tear-filled eyes glared at

for some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended to be. But his

her silent accusation hanging heavy

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

spent the

the two of them. Who knew what had

now Jessica was asking for a divorce.

was already missing buttons, torn

battered and furious, her movements sharp as she signed angrily, I

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