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

the cool wood biting through

with hers, as if he wanted

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

welled up. Tears pricked at

couldn't speak. Her resistance, feeble against his strength,

hands, he seemed to think she was surrendering, leaning

But then-crack.

landed

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

reached out and flicked on the

chest, her breath coming in shaky gasps.

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 be. But his eyes, dark and bottomless,

lashes trembled with unshed tears, her silent accusation

cold and

spent the night with

them. Who knew what had

for a divorce. How could he expect her to stay

that? Her shirt was

her movements sharp as she

a sneer curling his lips. "Don't test my