Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He arrived at Jessica's hotel in record time.

As soon as he pushed the car door open and stepped out, he spotted Jessica emerging from the lobby.

The man who had given her the voice-emitting necklace was waving to her across the drive.

When Jessica reached the car, the man-Herbert-opened the passenger door for her with exaggerated courtesy.

Jessica's smile was dazzling.

A surge of anger overwhelmed Timothy, darkening his expression in an instant.

He strode forward, shouldered Herbert aside, and, with one swift motion, pulled Jessica into his arms.

Their eyes met-Timothy and Herbert-and sparks seemed to crackle in the air between them.

A subtle scent of cologne and tobacco wafted toward Jessica. She looked up. Timothy's gaze was icy as he stared Herbert down.

"Excuse me," Timothy's voice was low and refined, but the underlying dominance was unmistakable, "but aren't you aware she's a married woman?"

Herbert pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose and gave a lazy, irreverent grin.

"Jessica and I grew up together. It's just a friendly meeting-no need to let your imagination run wild."

calling Jessica "Mute." He had hated it then, and hearing Herbert

in Timothy's embrace,

her a cold, warning look and tightened his hold, refusing to let her go. Timothy fixed Herbert with a mocking, chilling smile. "Childhood friend-how convenient. I don't care who you are. She's my

gave particular weight to

he dragged Jessica back toward his car. Herbert took a few steps after them, his brows furrowed, but stopped himself. Timothy was Jessica's husband. Who

the passenger seat and

gas, tearing away from the hotel

brake. Jessica jolted

inside the car was thick with tension, the

climbed out, leaving her sitting there, silent

and

"Get out."

straight ahead,

as steel.

Bang!

door shut with a

without a backward

up in time to see