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.

one of those times: as soon

screen: the caller

phone

Jessica, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mom, can you book the tickets now?

that Jessica caught the faint, elegant scent of perfume on his clothes-the

Henry had spent the morning

a stranger.

she supposed to

plain sight, but Henry didn't seem to notice

"Mom?"

faded; he frowned in confusion. "Can't you

course she could

she held out her injured hand, showing him

had stained her entire

it's just your left hand. You can

felt her heart go cold-utterly,

left Henry