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.

it hadn't stopped

clear-she was no longer satisfied with being his

were meant to

forward, closing

a thin frost had suddenly settled over

"No. No. No!" Jessica signed it out three times, emphatic and unyielding. Seven years. She couldn't bear

vulnerable, against the cold,

my lead. And while you're at it, tell Ines you'll never be working. Oh, and do her a favor-recommend Sheila as

her heart

to go to her mentor-to recommend his

did a man have to be, to say

rimmed red, Jessica signed furiously at him. "I'll do it. But

the edge still in

wasn't above granting it.

Lawson, the most distinguished woman in Riverside City-a leap in status most people would never achieve, no matter

"Divorce."

the same

sharply, turning away. He pressed his tongue

spun back to