Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"What's that supposed to mean, Jessica?"

Sallie could hardly ignore how strange Jessica was acting today.

Jessica didn't speak-she never did and she clearly had no intention of pulling out her phone to type a reply for Sallie to read.

She'd already made up her mind: she didn't want her husband or her son

anymore. Why would she care what Sallie thought of her?

When Jessica remained silent, Sallie's irritation only deepened. Huffing, she snapped, "I'm calling Timothy right now. I'll tell him to dump you!"

With that, Sallie whipped out her phone.

Jessica didn't move. If Sallie really could convince Timothy to leave her, so much the better. She wanted the divorce anyway.

The call connected quickly.

Timothy, having failed to find Jessica at the hospital, was already heading to the hotel.

but she ignored me. Henry's still in the hospital and instead of taking care of her son, she's wandering all over the

poured out all her pent-up anger

and even, his tone cool, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her leave. I'll

up and tossed her hair, her crimson lips curling into a mocking smirk. "I've called Timothy. He'll be here any minute. You'd better stay right where you

ironic smile tugging

doted on her brother with almost blinding devotion. Timothy was her pride and joy, and in her eyes, Jessica was

had never given Jessica so much

her like family, loving her as she would an older sister, never once losing her temper or

one winter when Sallie was in a minor car accident and fractured her leg. Henry was just a few months old, and Timothy was out of town.

gave,

was done trying to win over people who would never warm to

car pulled up beside Jessica, parking

stepped out, and Sallie hurried to meet

just look at her face. You'd think

bit as striking and dignified as the day he'd walked up