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.

he kept pushing her right up

made room for him and Sheila in her life, done everything to step out of their way. What

at her flushed, angry face. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Are you

hand, pried it off with all her strength, and flung it aside. Her voice trembled with emotion, her gestures wild and desperate. "I want a divorce- a divorce, Timothy! How

and shining with suppressed

beautiful eyes now blazed with sparks of

Timothy caught the back of her head

rebellious woman needed to

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

refused to let

tried to knee him, aiming for the one place she'd heard

she moved, Timothy wedged his leg between hers,

kept fighting him, struggling against

until her hot tears scalded his lips that he finally released her, cupping

after another, falling in a silent cascade. Her eyes were so full of pain it was nearly

pain in his chest was sharp and suffocating. Seven years of marriage, and he had never

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