Goodbye, Mr. Regret

His voice wasn't loud, but it still carried the edge of a command.

Jessica's hand was trapped in his grip; she couldn't respond, forced to accept his ridiculous charity.

Her face remained expressionless.

Timothy remembered once passing through a department store and, on a whim, spotting a pair of pearl earrings that seemed perfect for her. When he brought them home, her eyes had shimmered with light, like stars.

He leaned in close, his voice husky. "Didn't you love it when I gave you presents? This is a special ring-it plays music. I had it made just for you."

Seven years. They'd been married for seven years.

With his sharp mind and keen perception, there was no way he didn't know she loved him.

He was skilled at toying with her feelings.

He knew how to say the cruelest things to hurt her.

He'd done the harshest things—almost destroyed her.

And then, as if nothing ever happened, he'd act like everything was fine.

He'd slap her with one hand, and offer her a sweet with the other.

He made her feel like she was nothing to him-cheap, disposable.

Suddenly, Timothy released her hand. As Jessica tried to get up, he pulled her back, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist and pressing his face to her chest.

me stay like this for a while. I'm exhausted. I

for his exhaustion; she just felt

and the room

his breathing become slow

She frowned.

fallen asleep

like five minutes before she

me hold

daring to move. She looked down-his eyes were closed. She couldn't tell if he was talking in his sleep or if he'd sensed her

he wasn't

him rest his face against

Sitting like that,

arms somehow winding

in the room she and

on the wall-it was already two in

She'd slept so deeply!

had no idea how she'd

illness getting

was Ines's exhibition

two. The gallery would close at

scrambled out of bed and hurried

her finger and slipped it