Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Her darling son was now siding with outsiders to deceive her...

And yet, just a sliver of kindness from Timothy was enough to make her doubt everything she'd believed.

She even caught herself hoping to hear his explanation, longing for him to make it all clear.

But what kind of explanation did she expect, really? He'd taken Sheila on a business trip and they were staying together. What was there left to explain?

She felt utterly useless.

A single gentle word from Timothy, and she crumbled.

If Timothy truly cared about her, why had it taken him seven years to remember her birthday?

Love really was a master illusionist, blinding people to the truth.

Jessica picked up her phone, left the bedroom, and handed it back to Mabel.

Mabel noticed how pale Jessica looked. She wanted to ask if there had been a fight with Mr. Smith, but didn't dare press further. Ever since Sheila had appeared in their lives, the whole house felt tense and on edge.

Jessica typed a message on her phone.

"Mabel, I'm craving those crystal dumplings from Velvet Fork. I'm heading out for a bit."

"Please be safe, ma'am."

and set it

anything with her except her small

by the curb, she waited for a

beside her. The

Mute, where

signed, "Why

in-wherever you're going,

passenger door. Jessica hesitated, then

the car pulled away, Herbert glanced over. "So, Little Mute, you still haven't told me where you want to

again, "Take me to the train station. I want to go home." That morning, she'd skipped breakfast so she could rush back to the hospital for Henry, afraid he'd go hungry. She'd been

passed out, and then everything

felt as if all her energy had been drained, leaving her limp

hands fluttered weakly as she

and exhausted she looked. He didn't feel right about

free today anyway. Let

three hour

grinned. "What, don't

lips together and replied, "It's not that. I just

hardly had time to see any family or friends. This is the perfect

silently, letting it