Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The truth was, he was going to Oakwood just to see Sheila.

If he'd truly wanted to take her with him, he had their marriage certificate-her ID number was right there in plain sight. Was it possible he hadn't noticed?

These half-hearted gestures might have fooled the old Jessica, but not anymore.

She wouldn't let herself be so blindly taken in.

He only wanted to keep her from filing for divorce.

Jessica raised both hands, exasperated. "Fine, I'll take the job with my advisor. But what about Sheila? What's supposed to happen to her?"

Would he really just leave Sheila to fend for herself?

"Why are you so concerned about her?" Timothy replied coolly. "Look, if you want to work, you have my support. Isn't that enough?"

The corners of his eyes and mouth softened, a subtle charm glimmering in his expression.

He was always so composed, impossibly handsome, with that innate confidence that made even the smallest hint of tenderness dangerously seductive.

But Jessica had snapped out of it.

She wouldn't let herself get swept up again.

She just couldn't tell if he truly didn't care whether Sheila became Professor Ines's student, or if he was playing mind games-pretending indifference because he knew she'd use this as leverage in their divorce talks.

seemed all too

after all,

three steps ahead-these

rivals far more experienced than her;

dropped the

smooth divorce wouldn't be easy.

determined for Sheila to become Ines's student, sooner or later,

the matter

acquiescence, Timothy's irritation

secretary to book them on a flight

had it sent

ate, Timothy called Sheila to tell her they'd be leaving

text on

I've gone ahead and returned to

phone and turned to Jessica. "Hand me your key card. I'll fetch your luggage from the room. You go

fished the card from her purse and passed

he pleased—at least she could

over lunch echoed in

had learned to read sign language after an accident damaged

had been seven

the accident, Sheila started learning