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

cool wood biting through her clothes,

breath mingling with

touch hot against her skin. Jessica's nerves

up. Tears pricked at her

Her resistance, feeble against his strength, was

both hands, he

But then-crack.

open palm landed hard against

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

reached out and flicked on

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

in disarray-while Timothy, save for some wrinkles in his suit jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended to be. But his eyes, dark and

unshed tears, her silent accusation hanging heavy

a long moment, Timothy's voice broke the silence, cold and flat.

the night with

of them. Who knew what

divorce. How could he expect her to

him after that? Her shirt was already

glared at him, battered and furious, her movements sharp as she signed angrily, I told you-I want

sneer curling his