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 to

door, the cool wood biting through her clothes,

breath mingling with hers, as

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

up. Tears

feeble against his strength, was

both hands, he seemed

But then-crack.

open palm landed hard

few pale fingerprints blooming on his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside

reached out and flicked

her breath coming in shaky gasps. Her

suit jacket, looked every bit the composed

unshed tears, her

Timothy's voice broke the silence, cold and

spent the night with

Just the two of them. Who

Jessica was asking for a divorce. How could he expect her to

that? Her shirt was already missing buttons,

glared at him, battered and furious, her movements sharp as she signed angrily,

curling