Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Or maybe, after all these years of living as a wealthy socialite, she'd simply grown too used to a life of comfort and privilege too unwilling to go back to working

hard.

That had to be it.

All that talk about divorce, about being able to support herself, about making delicate paper cuttings and drinking cheap bottled water-it was all just a show for his benefit, a ploy to get his attention.

No wonder, this time, she'd left Henry sick at home, and came alone to Capital City without asking his permission.

That comic-style painting of *The Grand Canal, Venice*-she'd seen it in their house before. She must have kept quiet about it, saving it for this very moment.

If Ines was her mentor, how could Jessica not be following Ines's recent exhibitions?

He realized, with a jolt, that he'd never truly understood his silent little wife.

So calculating. So composed.

For seven years, everything between them had been quiet and uneventful. He'd thought she was content being his dutiful, behind-the-scenes wife.

All because he hadn't taken her to that school event for parents and children.

That's when it started.

hadn't stopped

no longer satisfied with being

these actions, every last one, were meant to force him

forward, closing the distance

presence chilled the air, as if a thin frost had suddenly settled over the

cold. "Do you really not want to work?" "No. No. No!" Jessica signed it out three times, emphatic and unyielding. Seven years. She couldn't bear

to throw herself, warm and vulnerable, against the cold,

you don't want a job, then you'll be Mrs. Lawson-show up, smile, follow my lead. And while you're at it, tell Ines you'll never be

her heart

actually expected her to go to her mentor-to recommend his

a man have to be,

him. "I'll do it. But you

the edge still

was his wife; if she had a reasonable request, he wasn't above granting

she'd become Mrs. Lawson, the most distinguished

"Divorce."

hands signed the word with the same steely resolve in her

away. He pressed his tongue

moment later, he spun back to her, staring Jessica