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

twisted in

after a moment's thought, she reasoned that Timothy, with his composure, would never argue with Jessica in public. He'd probably

car, intent on following to see what would

***

Timothy brought Jessica home.

her to sit at the edge of the

long and elegant, his features striking; watching him

sign language, but rarely used it. Jessica could hear perfectly well —she just didn't speak. He and his father knew sign

this morning-sorry. I was up all night with Henry and didn't

Jessica hesitated.

Timothy had ever explained himself to

she quickly steeled herself.

responded in sign: "Let's

and turbulent. His brow

turning away

marrying had been peaceful-just the way he liked

couldn't understand why Jessica was suddenly making a