Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy, for his part, hadn't even shown the slightest hint of anger.

Sallie, clearly dissatisfied, shot Jessica a dramatic eyeroll before turning back to Timothy. "Timothy, maybe you don't know this yet, but on Grandpa's birthday, I saw her at the fabric market. She was with some guy, laughing and looking awfully cozy with him..."

Timothy fixed his gaze on Sallie, his eyes cold as frost. His lips, sharp as if carved from marble, pressed into a hard, silent line.

Realizing she'd pushed too far, Sallie clammed up immediately.

She'd acted on impulse-again.

Men care about their pride, after all. And Jessica, being mute, made any talk of

her cheating even more humiliating for Timothy.

She shouldn't have blurted it out so recklessly.

Timothy broke eye contact, reaching over to take Jessica's hand.

Jessica tried to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.

Sallie just gaped.

Even now, Timothy was taking Jessica home?

the backseat, and got in himself. He didn't spare Sallie a single glance

face twisted in

would never argue

climbed into her own car, intent on following to see what

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

entered the master bedroom, gently guiding her to sit at the edge of the bed. Then he knelt in

long and elegant, his features striking; watching him communicate in sign language, he was almost

perfectly well —she just didn't speak. He and his father knew sign only so they could understand her

hands formed the words: "About this morning-sorry. I was up all night with

Jessica hesitated.

was the first time Timothy had ever explained himself to

quickly steeled herself.

in sign: "Let's get

eyes, dark and turbulent.

stood, turning

wasn't one for unnecessary words, and he despised drama. Their life since marrying had been peaceful-just the way he liked it. Divorce had never even

understand why Jessica was suddenly