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?"

glanced at the clock. It was already nearing nine. Not exactly

Timothy strode over, scooping her

as her feet left the

with concern. "Save your strength. I'll

pale blue electric toothbrush, squeezed out a perfect stripe of toothpaste, and handed

stronger, she thought, I'll

casual. "I cleared my schedule for the next few days. I'll be home on time every night. I'll make arrangements for you to start

toothbrush, then signed to him,

supervisor hope only to let them

she'd brought this up as a pretext to negotiate

tried to find a way for Sheila to

in, it would only make things more

Once you've talked it

willing to compromise, clearly wanting to keep things stable at

the question; nothing

more. She would wait and see. He cared about Sheila too much—surely he

she finished getting ready, Timothy called her to

Henry and Sheila were nowhere to

Timothy fetched a sun hat that matched

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