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 to defend Timothy. But the words

cutting through her muddled signs. "You don't have to explain.

to keep putting yourself through this. I could help you find a

raised a hand, signaling

me, you'll only make things worse between us. I love him. I don't really want a divorce. When I asked you to help me find a lawyer, I just wanted to scare

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 lot of pain on myself. I'm so, so sorry. I hope you're not

Jessica

hand frozen in midair. The words "Little Mute" almost escaped his lips, but he swallowed them, letting his arm fall limply to his side, his fingers trembling as

since they were children. No one could fool him-least of all her. She was just afraid of dragging

family, no one to rely on. And now, if she was even pushing

lips pressed into a thin, determined line. No

not even sure where she could go. But

own. She planned to go to