Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica never knew that falling in love with someone could be inherited.

"What? You said Dad went with you? Oh no, why didn't you take me? Why did you leave me at home alone? I want to go too..."

Jessica had just picked up the scissors. The moment she squeezed the handles, she accidentally snipped her own finger.

A bright bead of blood welled up instantly, vivid and red.

She stared at her bleeding fingertip, eyes empty, her mind blank.

She sat there in a daze for several minutes before Henry came over again.

"Mom, Dad wants to talk to you."

Henry switched his smartwatch to speaker mode.

Timothy's low, slightly hoarse voice crackled from the tiny speaker.

"Jessica, Henry wants to come to Aetherion. Book a flight to Marisbright and bring him over. We're getting married, and you still haven't met my grandfather. Take this chance to visit him."

Jessica couldn't respond; the smartwatch didn't allow for it.

If Timothy called her, he'd sometimes tell her to check her messages, then hang up. At other times, he'd say what he needed right then and there-no need for a message, just a command, a notice of what she must do.

was one of those times: as soon as he finished speaking, he hung

the screen: the caller ID read

Sheila's phone for the

and sidled up close to Jessica, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mom, can you book the tickets now? After we eat, we can head straight

faint, elegant scent

Henry had spent the morning cuddled up

son's beaming face and suddenly felt he was a stranger. Six years of motherhood, and she'd been

was she supposed

bleeding, exposed in plain

"Mom?"

faded; he frowned in confusion.

she could

Instead, she held out her

had stained

said, "Mom, it's just your left hand. You can still

her heart

word, she left Henry and walked to the living