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.

be his loving wife anymore, not in that

surge of anger twisted

the edge more than once. Not all of it was her fault, but

her over the years, letting her get too

He was done negotiating.

you take them to bed,

this time she didn't hurt herself, unlike the last time, when she'd bitten her

firm but careful. He wouldn't let her get hurt

react, he pressed his mouth to hers, silencing

to push him away, but the difference in their strength was absolute. He overpowered her, holding her jaw,

tears slid from Jessica's wide, beautiful eyes, soaking her

Timothy froze.

drew back, seeing the redness at

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

her cheek with the back of

crying? Did

clenched her jaw so hard she thought her teeth might

couldn't speak, couldn't shout-she was mute, her voice locked deep

words she wanted to scream stuck in her

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

waist, lifting her as easily as picking up a