Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Ines was the animation director at Riverside Media Institute, and Jessica was one of the school's alumni.

That comic-style version of The Grand Canal, Venice...

Timothy clenched his fist. His silent little wife really was something-she'd managed to keep this from him for seven whole years!

No wonder Ines said that deciding whether to take Sheila on as a student had something to do with Jessica.

Timothy spoke up, his tone even, "Ines, did you know Jessica was my wife all along?"

"Not for very long, actually," Ines replied. "The Lawson Group made your marriage certificate public— I just happened to see it online. That's when I realized Jessica had married you. The last time I visited your house, it was because I wanted to surprise her. Unfortunately, she wasn't home. I was a bit disappointed."

Ines glanced sideways at Jessica, her eyes full of admiration.

Jessica happened to meet her gaze, a wave of guilt welling up inside her.

Back when she chose to give up her career, her mentor had been heartbroken.

Not long ago, Ines had reached out again, thinking that after seven years of marriage Jessica's life would have settled down. She offered Jessica another opportunity-but Jessica had turned her down once more.

thought that if they ever met again, Ines would be

But she wasn't.

but appreciation

his fingertips together

Jessica in advance, and she'd definitely been home—yet somehow, she'd hidden herself away. After Ines left, Jessica showed up

at Ines and signed, "I'm

understood

words

and anger Jessica had stirred up in him seemed to melt away. But Jessica

of Timothy. If Ines ever found out her marriage was on the verge

out, "Ines, you can

wanted to bring Jessica on board, I learned sign language specifically so we could communicate more easily. Miss Howard, you understand

her hand into a

clear Ines had

knew Timothy was trying to convince Ines to take her on as a student, but now, things were