Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's deep, husky voice was laced with a sensual magnetism, every word coaxing and dangerously inviting. It was the kind of voice that could pull you under if you weren't careful.

Jessica froze for a second, caught off guard by the way his tone seemed to wrap around her. But she snapped out of it quickly, her resolve hardening.

With a firm gesture, she made herself clear. "I want nothing but my own money."

Timothy didn't get angry. What had happened last night at the Red House still lingered in his mind as a source of guilt. He had to admit-he'd neglected her for years. If she was upset, if she wanted to make a scene, he could hardly blame her.

He gave a soft, almost self-deprecating smile. "If you only care about your money, then what were these past seven years for? Don't be silly. Be good, alright?"

Seven years. Seven wasted years. Did he really think she'd sign on for seven more?

Sorry.

She was fresh out.

All she had left was six months.

And for these last six months, she was going to live for herself.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Watching her hands as she signed, Timothy's lips pressed into a thin, hard line. The warmth in his voice faded, replaced by something heavier. "So you've really decided to leave your husband and child behind?"

Jessica nodded without hesitation.

long, unsteady breath, his eyes growing darker, hard

what he was thinking. She

silence, he finally

never actually asked her that, not once since she'd started demanding a

lengthy answer. Her hands moved, her expression cool and distant.

that smothered her and showed no promise of change. Tired of the same old routine, day in

of it.

grew

She was tired.

itch, finally eating away at

said, quiet but unmistakably threatening, "if I don't agree, you wouldn't just have trouble with the divorce-you might never be able to leave me at

even his threats

knew exactly what he meant. But she wasn't giving up. There was always a way out for those who were

again. "Even if we agree to file for divorce, there's still a mandatory waiting period. Why don't we use this month-give us

paused, eyes narrowing

the room, knowing exactly what to say to tip the scales in his favor. He laid out the terms so logically that she couldn't find a reason to

wasn't about to find a lawyer willing to go up against Timothy, not in the short term. His suggestion was the

was a businessman-cunning, calculating.

your mind in a month?" Her gestures softened, a hint of wariness