Goodbye, Mr. Regret

These past few days, Jessica had been in a deep slump. She barely had the energy to think about anything else.

But there was a deeper, more pressing reason behind it-she was running out of time.

In the few short months she had left, whatever she tried to do would always feel rushed, never enough.

"Little Mute?"

Herbert, noticing her silence, waved a hand in front of her face.

Jessica looked up, her expression heavy as she signed, "If it's not a big order, I can manage."

Herbert couldn't quite understand it. Jessica's papercut artwork was nothing short of exquisite—almost museum-worthy. And she'd learned it from her grandmother, to whom she'd always been especially close.

So why wasn't she trying to make something of her talent?

He hesitated, then asked gently, "Is something holding you back?"

His mother had once invited Jessica to host an exhibition and offered to sponsor her. Back then, Jessica had been busy caring for her husband and son, so it made sense she'd turned it down.

But she was preparing for divorce now. Surely she wouldn't have to spend so much time on her husband and son anymore. Shouldn't this be her chance to do something she actually enjoyed?

desperately wanted to

had been singled out by Ines at sixteen and granted early admission to Riverside Media Institute. She could have had a brilliant

long moment before she raised her hands to sign, "I haven't really designed anything in years. I'm

raves about your work. The guests we had yesterday are people with real taste, and they loved your pieces. That says a lot. Besides, aren't you planning to

mention of her son, Jessica's face clouded over. Her hands moved slowly: "I'm

tried, she'd

months left-what would be the point of fighting to

Henry would never choose

need to make things worse for

at her, eyes dark

gives up

have gone through something he couldn't even

Timothy done to her

anger burned in Herbert's

if she'd lost all her reasons

It broke his heart.