Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila hurried out of the car, making her way over to them.

With an apologetic look, she turned to Jessica and tried to explain, "Jessica, please don't be mad at Kane. He's always been like that-joking around, speaking before he thinks. I already gave him a piece of my mind. But you not coming home... well, both Timothy and Henry were worried about you."

Jessica found these hollow words nauseating.

The way Timothy's friends treated her was a perfect reflection of Timothy's own attitude.

Then Sheila turned to Timothy, putting on a gentle voice. "Timothy, you shouldn't be upset with Kane either, okay?"

"I'm not that petty. It's late. You should get some rest," Timothy replied, his tone flat.

Without another word, he grabbed Jessica's hand and pulled her forcefully into the house.

Sheila stayed where she was, jaw clenched tight.

Timothy was caring more and more about Jessica. Tonight, he'd finally acknowledged her in front of everyone. Was it only a matter of time before he announced her identity to the world?

Upstairs in the master bedroom, Jessica yanked her hand free from Timothy's grip, her anger barely contained.

She had never felt so much pain in her heart.

She only had six months left-she just wanted to spend that time quietly, in peace.

pushing her right up

had already made room for him and Sheila in her life, done everything

flushed, angry face. He grabbed her chin, forcing her

emotion, her gestures wild and desperate.

were red and shining

eyes now blazed with sparks

back of her head and crushed his lips

woman needed to

hair, bit down hard on his lip-the taste of blood quickly spreading

Timothy refused to let

him, aiming for the one place she'd heard men were most

wedged his leg between hers, blocking her

him,

lips that he finally released her, cupping her face as he

her cheeks, one after another, falling in a silent cascade. Her eyes were so full of pain

was sharp and suffocating. Seven years of

she ever cried before were soft, pleading tears beneath him, each sparkling drop like a