Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Easy now, don't make a fuss. Tonight, I'll give you what you want, alright?"

It was rare for Timothy to take the time to coax her like this.

He hoped she would realize her mistake and behave herself.

A little sulking now and then-he could tolerate that.

His breath brushed against her ear, his voice low and coaxing.

Jessica felt like she was losing her mind.

What had she done to make him think she was desperate for him?

She reached out, pressing her palm firmly against Timothy's chest.

He straightened up, his dark eyes fixed on her. The gentle, refined look from moments ago had clouded over, replaced by something far more somber.

Jessica glared at him, her hands moving swiftly in sign language: *"I don't want this. Stop forcing things. If you keep pushing, what happened last time will happen again."*

She couldn't have made her feelings any clearer.

He hadn't caught him cheating-at least, not physically.

But emotionally, that betrayal was just as real to her and just as unforgivable.

couldn't pretend to be his loving

surge of anger twisted Timothy's

his temper easily, but lately, she'd pushed him to the edge more than once. Not all of

spoiled her over the years, letting

He was done negotiating.

thought-once you take them

the last time, when she'd bitten her own

but careful. He wouldn't let her

could react, he pressed his

in their strength was absolute. He overpowered her,

to resist, hot tears slid from Jessica's wide, beautiful eyes, soaking her thick, fluttering lashes. The taste of salt filled both their

Timothy froze.

redness at the corners

Her cheeks were flushed, her lips trembling, her gaze fractured and vulnerable—so heartbreakingly delicate that it tugged at something

tears from her cheek with the back of his

are you crying?

hard she thought

was mute, her voice

she wanted to scream stuck in

trembling arm, signing slowly: *"Timothy, can you please stop?"*

her waist, lifting her as