Goodbye, Mr. Regret

It was Herbert.

Jessica had fainted, and Timothy had taken her away-though his attitude was anything but gentle. Worried, Herbert had followed them, never expecting that Timothy would simply abandon Jessica, taking their son and Sheila with him.

Herbert climbed out of his car.

"Little Mute."

Jessica forced a smile and signed, "What are you doing here?"

He took a deep breath, pressed his lips together, and arched an eyebrow. "If you don't want to smile, then don't do it. That smile of yours doesn't suit you at all."

He could see right through her. She was pretending, and he knew it.

Exposed, Jessica's expression faltered. She tried to explain, "It's not what you think, I... he..."

searching desperately for some excuse to defend Timothy.

signs. "You don't have to explain. I know. He doesn't

jaw clenched hard. "You don't have to keep putting yourself through this. I could

immediately raised a hand, signaling him to

a divorce because I acted on impulse. There's just a little friction between Timothy and me, but he's really good to me. If you keep coming to see me, you'll only make things worse between us. I love him. I don't really

come looking for me again. He's already so angry because he's seen us together too many times. That's why he left me behind just now. I didn't think things through, and I've caused you trouble and brought

Jessica turned

The words "Little Mute" almost escaped his lips, but he swallowed them, letting his arm fall limply to his

they were children. No one could fool him-least of all

no family, no one to rely on. And

No matter

where she could go. But one thing was certain-she wasn't going

file on her own. She planned to go to the courthouse and find out about