Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Jessica."

Timothy's voice brushed against her ear, low and warm, his breath stirring the air between them and making her head spin.

"Try to get some sleep."

His hand moved gently over her lower abdomen, soothing her.

Her heart fluttered and ached at once.

He didn't even realize how seductive his tenderness was.

Before long, she drifted off, lost in a hazy, comforting drowsiness.

The next morning.

Jessica opened her eyes to find the bed beside her empty. From the bathroom came the soft sounds of running water and the clink of toiletries.

She slipped out from under the covers. To her surprise, the cramps she'd suffered the night before had vanished completely.

Timothy stepped out of the bathroom.

He looked impeccable-dressed in a crisp suit, hair neatly combed, clean-shaven and radiant. Handsome to the point of perfection.

"Why aren't you sleeping a bit longer?"

It was already

was just about to stand up when Timothy strode over, scooping her effortlessly

a split second as her feet left the ground,

dark and unreadable, flickered with concern. "Save your strength. I'll carry you to

the sink, grabbed her pale blue electric toothbrush, squeezed out a perfect stripe of toothpaste, and handed it

heart isn't stronger, she thought, I'll never

His voice was soft and casual. "I cleared my schedule for the next few days. I'll be

signed to him,

give her supervisor hope

as a

find a way for Sheila

would only make

"Alright," he said finally. "You know Ines better. Once you've talked it over, let me

was willing to compromise, clearly wanting

was out of the question; nothing could be allowed to disrupt the

more. She would wait and see. He cared about Sheila

ready, Timothy called her

Henry and Sheila were nowhere to be seen. Jessica didn't

meal, Timothy fetched a sun hat that matched her

woke up. You weren't feeling well last night, so I told him not to wake you. The driver's already taken him.