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.

When it

She took a long, hot shower and was just drying her hair when her

Little Mute. Sallie didn't give you too hard

[I'm fine.]

was used to it. Sallie

flickered on the screen as he typed, deleted, then finally settled on a

okay.

[Good night.]

her phone down

opened the door-and there

shock. Wasn't he supposed to be

way he could have gotten back

reached for her wrist, pulling

eyes-but his handsome features were as

practiced elegance. From the inside pocket of

almost blank. She'd already returned the ring days

keep it?" His voice was hoarse,

head away, refusing

closer, and she tumbled into his arms. His familiar cologne surrounded her, woodsy and

broad and warm, once her safest harbor.