Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Hey, Timothy, what's going on?"

Sallie was hunched over a design sketch, her phone set to speaker and resting on the table.

"What's happening with Jessica?"

"How should I know? She looked awful this morning. I told her she should get checked out, but she insisted she just stayed up too late and needed some rest. Don't tell me she's still not back?"

Timothy's sharp features grew even darker.

"No, she's not."

Sallie let go of her mouse and leaned back in her chair, picking up her phone with a sigh. "Let me guess, this has something to do with that Henry kid again. Yesterday, Jessica made me go to the hospital with her. She said the boy doesn't speak, and if he ran into anyone who knows Henry, it would embarrass him. She wanted me to look after him during the day; she'd take the night shift. This isn't the first time, Timothy. You really need to have a talk with your son. Acting like he's ashamed of his own mother-honestly, it's out of line."

A crease formed between Timothy's brows, and his long fingers curled slightly.

"Alright. I understand. Let's leave it at that for now."

He hung up and half-closed his eyes, sitting ramrod straight, deep in thought. Soon, Timothy arrived at the airport.

As he passed a luxury boutique, he paused, glanced at the window display, and stepped inside.

landed immediately on

under the lights. Their red beaks touched, and from their meeting point dangled a perfect, teardrop-

the tears she'd

decided to buy

associate gushed. "This brooch is a limited edition—just released tonight. Each city's store only received one, and ours just

his voice was low and steady. "Can you

was

his wife wear something

hesitated, then said, "Let me call our headquarters." "Good. If any have already been sold, I'll buy them back at double the price."

front of her radiated wealth and confidence. This brooch wasn't cheap if

hurried to contact

was still in-store-none had been

they're all available,"

them off the shelves.

black credit card from his wallet and handed

"One moment, please."