Goodbye, Mr. Regret

But Timothy suddenly laughed.

A cold, mocking smile curled on his lips as he loosened his tie. "Do you know what happened to the last person who crossed me?" he sneered.

She couldn't have cared less.

At worst, it meant death.

Better sooner than later.

Maybe in her next life, she'd be lucky enough never to meet him again.

Jessica turned her head away, silently cheering for her own courage.

The instant she let her anger out, the weight she'd been carrying seemed to lift, as if she'd finally shaken off her chains.

If Timothy refused to grant her a divorce, then she'd drag things to the bitter end— no matter how ugly it got.

Wait around for death? Not her.

She wanted out, and she wanted it clean. She'd cut all ties, with no strings left behind.

But Timothy wasn't finished. He grabbed her chin, forcing her stubborn, infuriating face back toward him.

his voice low and smooth, but the frost in his eyes was unmistakable. "You've found your

tightened, pain shooting through

you defy me!" His voice was ice-cold, every word razor-sharp. "I'll make this perfectly clear:

shoved her face

stubborn, silent woman like you

hand on the steering wheel, Timothy

gaze was dark and

words were colder than winter steel: "Now get out. And don't come back to The Gilded Whisper

been waiting to hear these words for

papers are still in the study drawer, Mr. Lawson. Don't forget to put your name on

lowered her hands, didn't spare him another glance, and climbed out, heading for the front gate of the

until his knuckles went white, his nails nearly

were as dark

past Jessica he didn't even bother slowing down. The car's edge clipped so close to her that she stumbled, lost her balance, and fell. Her palms scraped painfully against the

the rearview mirror, Timothy saw her fall. His foot hesitated on the brake just for

rear tires spitting up a cloud of dust as he tore

Pathetic.

even stand on her