Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Timothy, listen to me this is serious. If you don't get back soon, your wife is going to walk out on you!"

Timothy's long fingers curled slightly, dark eyes narrowing in the dim light. He was silent for a moment, then spoke in a slow, low voice. "She can't even speak. If she leaves me, where exactly is she going to go? Stop making a fuss about nothing."

"No, Timothy, you don't understand-she-"

"I'm busy. I don't have time for this. If you have something to say, save it until I get back."

He hung up without waiting for a response.

Sallie stared at the phone's dead screen, then threw it onto the couch in

frustration.

Useless-every last one of them.

Especially Jessica.

Timothy had already run off to see Sheila, and Jessica-what, she thought cozying up to some other man would make Timothy come crawling back? As if Timothy would care.

And Sheila... utterly shameless. Was she trying to ruin Timothy?

With a sigh, Sallie bent to pick up her phone and quickly booked a flight to Marisbright.

Their mother had died giving birth to her and Timothy, and their father, now remarried, had a new family-two kids with his new wife. He treated Sallie and Timothy decently enough, but it was obvious where his heart truly lay.

it

Jessica checked into a hotel. She took a long, hot shower and was just

hard a time, did she?] Herbert's message

[I'm fine.]

to it. Sallie had always been

as he typed, deleted, then finally settled

okay. Try

[Good night.]

phone

the door-and

eyes widened in shock. Wasn't he supposed

he could

stood frozen in the doorway. Timothy reached for her wrist, pulling her inside before closing the door behind

exhausted-there were shadows under his eyes-but his handsome features were as striking as

From the inside pocket of his

almost blank. She'd already returned the ring

His voice was hoarse, tinged with

away, refusing to meet

tumbled into his arms. His

and warm, once her safest harbor.