Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica's beautiful eyes brimmed with despair.

She signed with aching hands, "I can do papercutting, and I can also—"

"That's enough."

Timothy cut her off mid-sentence. "Those little patterns you taught Henry to make -how much do you think they're worth? Could you even buy a bottle of water with that?"

Jessica's lips curled into a bitter smile.

For most people, a bottle of water costs just a dollar or two.

But Timothy was different. The water his family drank came from Hawaii-deep ocean water, drawn from a thousand meters below the Pacific, concentrated, then diluted a hundredfold for drinking. It contained dozens of trace minerals, the magnesium content was off the charts compared to regular water, and a 500ml bottle cost over five hundred dollars.

One could only imagine how extravagant the rest of their life was.

Jessica signed again, fingers dancing, "You were born into privilege. You don't know what struggle means. Most people in this world drink water that costs a dollar a bottle-why shouldn't I?"

The thought of Jessica drinking cheap water made Timothy's heart twist painfully. She was his wife! She didn't need to live like ordinary people.

He could provide her with water that cost five hundred, even five thousand dollars a bottle if she wanted it.

grew stormy. "You really want to make things hard for

with quiet grace. "I don't see it as hardship. Everyone has their own idea of happiness and suffering. Being forbidden to divorce

patience was worn

with his knees, pressing Jessica back until she was flush against the cushions, his striking features just

was overwhelming, his eyes smoldering with a fire

can't speak,

now, there wasn't even room for her

speak-there were so many things it made

express herself quickly. And when she went out, yes, people would mock her, or stare at

plenty of that? Maybe

answer, Timothy slid down beside her, sitting so

these days. Can you stop pushing for once? Let

sign, turning to look at him—but

her

with not being able to speak; if someone wasn't watching, it didn't matter how clear

to

behind her