Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Including today, she'd come to Jessica's house.

But Jessica hadn't shown up.

Ines could pretty much guess what that meant.

Jessica didn't need a career.

A man like Timothy and their son that was Jessica's whole world now.

Ines knew she had to stop hoping Jessica would ever return to the animation industry.

Timothy personally walked Ines to her car, waiting until she'd driven off before heading back into the house.

Ines noticed every detail from the car window.

He really was a good man.

As long as Jessica was happy, that was enough.

Once Timothy saw Ines off, Mabel approached him. "Sir, I couldn't find Mrs. Bennett anywhere."

No sooner had Mabel spoken than Timothy spotted Jessica.

His gaze, low and weary, fixed on her.

him, looking lost, almost

line of sight and, seeing Jessica, quietly

She lifted her tear-bright eyes to meet his, the

together. His voice was deep

answer. She dropped her eyes and headed for the

Timothy followed her instinctively.

calmness that bordered on numbness, Jessica pulled a stack of papers from a

even colder as he stared at the bold letters across the

this

the words with firm, practiced gestures: "I want a

had enough of

so much she'd forgiven everything, had finally

almost bored. "Give me one good reason. Tell me why you want a

answer to him

softening as if he could soothe her anger.

brush her

step back, dodging his

hand froze in midair, fingers clenching before he let it

again, closing the distance

didn't stop until she was backed against the

to sit on the edge of the