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..."

in tangled, uncertain gestures, searching desperately for some excuse

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

jaw clenched hard. "You don't have to keep putting yourself

raised a hand, signaling him to

to see me, you'll only make things worse between

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 a

back, Jessica turned

escaped his lips, but he swallowed them, letting his arm fall limply to his side, his fingers trembling as they curled into a

could fool him-least of all her. She was just afraid of dragging him down with

rely on. And now, if she

line. No matter what

hailed a cab, not even sure where she could go. But

lawyer dared take her case, she'd file on her own. She planned to go to the courthouse and find out about the process