Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Defeated again.

Sheila lowered her hand and turned away, her graceful composure never

wavering. The three of them-Timothy, Henry, and Sheila-stood together, their silhouettes perfectly matched, as if they belonged to a world Jessica could never enter.

Jessica had thought she was strong enough to feel nothing. But seeing that scene with her own eyes made her chest tighten painfully. After all, Timothy and Henry were the two people she cared about most in this world.

Sheila looked gentle and poised, but she clearly had no qualms about challenging Jessica—the real Mrs. Lawson. What gave her that boldness? Timothy's favoritism, of course.

And Jessica? She had nothing to fight back with. She couldn't argue, couldn't speak up. She had lost everything that once made her special. Years as a housewife had dulled her skills in animation—the only thing she'd ever been proud of. If her mentor tried to help, she could very well end up like the Wheelers: crushed by Timothy's power.

Timothy left her no room to breathe, no way out.

Of course, she had brought this on herself by angering him that morning. What awaited her now-besides her illness-might be even more than she could bear.

They say marriage is a woman's second life. For many, it's a chance to change their fate. For Jessica, it had become a dead end.

from the floor. A new message

was from her

me you've made up your mind to focus on your family and won't be returning to

had been nothing but lies. Without even asking,

Maybe this was for the best. She didn't have much time left anyway,

of explaining

comfortable leaving my son with a nanny. I'm sorry, I really

Ines appeared almost

"Actually..."

The typing indicator blinked beneath her name. Even through the screen, Jessica could sense

Finally, another message arrived.

me you're not able to work right now, and that Sheila―your sister-in-law-would be available

nearly laughed out of sheer frustration. Timothy