Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica looked down at the ticket in her hand, her eyes glistening with tears.

Of course she wanted to go.

She had come all the way to the capital just to see her mentor. But she didn't dare approach openly-she'd resorted to disguises, hoping not to be recognized.

She'd been about to buy a ticket herself when Herbert handed her one, already purchased.

Since he'd gone to the trouble, she accepted it, curling her thumb in a small, grateful gesture.

Seeing her take the ticket, Herbert finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Jessica wasn't the impulsive type. If she'd decided to get a divorce, then she must have given it serious thought.

For a woman, divorce was no small matter-it changed everything.

If she could find the strength to move forward and start over, nothing would make him happier.

Soon, his new treatment plan would finish clinical trials. If it worked and helped her regain her voice, then even if she was alone, she could still have a good life.

Above all, he just ached for her-seven years of hardship he could only imagine. If only things had been different back then...

But regret wouldn't change the past.

he wasn't about to

didn't need to ask. She wasn't fighting for custody of her son; from that alone, he could guess she hadn't been

drove Jessica back

go with you

signed, "It's okay. I can go by

her visit discreet. If Herbert went with her, her

could still make paper art, but the chances of her returning to animation were slim. If

want to burden

right," Herbert said. "Just be careful. When you see your mentor, talk to her, really make

her

"Thank you."

curling her thumbs to

need to thank me.

door to her room when

[Feeling any better?]

had hit her head badly; when Timothy arrived,

said it

still asleep, and he couldn't

he'd go see Jessica in person. Jessica stared