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 came to Timothy, she couldn't just

a long, hot shower and was just

you too hard a time, did she?]

[I'm fine.]

Sallie

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

you're okay. Try and

[Good night.]

had just set her phone down when

opened the door-and there was

eyes widened in shock. Wasn't he supposed to be overseas? Even if

there was no way he could have

for her

were shadows under his eyes-but his handsome

with practiced elegance. From the inside pocket of

She'd already returned the ring

won't you keep it?" His voice was hoarse, tinged with

away, refusing to meet his

his arms. His familiar cologne

once her safest harbor.