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?

car, loaded her suitcase in the backseat, and got in himself. He didn't spare Sallie a single glance as he started the engine

face twisted in

with his composure, would never argue with Jessica in public. He'd probably wait

Sallie climbed into her own car, intent

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

master bedroom, gently guiding her to sit at the edge of the

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

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

morning-sorry. I was up all night

Jessica hesitated.

was the first time Timothy had ever explained himself

quickly steeled herself. It didn't matter

in sign: "Let's get a

dark and turbulent. His brow

turning away

drama. Their life since marrying had been peaceful-just the way he liked it. Divorce had never even crossed his mind. Their son was already

understand why Jessica was suddenly making a