Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Timothy, are you there?"

It was Sheila's voice.

Timothy rolled off Jessica, pulling the covers over her naked body.

He hadn't even bothered to close the bedroom door when he brought Jessica in, still flush from their passion.

Now footsteps echoed down the hallway, getting closer.

"Timothy?" Sheila called again, her voice right outside.

"I'm in the bedroom," he replied, trying to sound casual. "Wait for me in the living room."

"Oh, all right," Sheila answered, her footsteps retreating.

Timothy had only slipped off his jacket. Now, with deliberate composure, he tidied his clothes, shrugged his jacket back on, and left the room.

Jessica felt a wave of humiliation wash over her.

She was completely exposed, nothing but the tangled bedsheets to hide her shame, while Timothy walked away looking as dignified as ever.

the same apartment-otherwise, why else would

done to Jessica,

way she'd ever believe that Timothy and Sheila, living together under one roof,

Sheila home right in front of her, what else was

room. Jessica could hear them talking, and realized

her in. She needed to wash every trace of him

steady rush of water

the

table and

not

Sheila could play dumb—after all, she'd received her own gift first. Even if Jessica had one now, she'd

her usual

nothing going on between us," Timothy replied quietly. He

forced a bright smile. "Since I got back, I haven't properly seen Jessica. It's lunchtime-why

hesitated. Ever since that school event, Jessica hadn't been herself. Sheila had said she was just his aunt, but Jessica clearly didn't believe it. Maybe she was still upset about the whole thing-after all, she cared so much about

this lunch was a