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.

a while. I'm

his exhaustion; she just felt suffocated by his

fell silent, and

she heard his breathing become slow

She frowned.

fallen asleep so

move, she kept still for what felt like five minutes before she tried to shift, inching her

hold you just

if he was talking in his sleep or if he'd sensed

wasn't

rest his face

was tired. Sitting like

dozed off too, arms somehow winding around Timothy's

back in the room she and Timothy had shared as husband and

the clock on the wall-it was already two in

She'd slept so deeply!

had no idea how she'd

her illness getting

today was Ines's exhibition in

The gallery

out of bed and hurried

noticed the ring on her finger and slipped it