Goodbye, Mr. Regret

With this, Jessica saw hope-clear and bright, flickering to life in her chest.

As hope grew, so did her longing to speak. The moment her throat felt a little less raw, she set down her water glass and signed, "Herbert, thank you."

Herbert smiled gently. "After all these years, you don't need to thank me."

She signed again, "With my condition, how long before I can talk again?"

She needed to know. Half a year-that was all the time she had left. If she could recover within those six months, maybe she could finally do all the things she'd once dreamed of, the ones that had always felt out of reach.

"We'll need to wait for your neurological test results before I can give you a definite answer," Herbert replied. "But trust me, it shouldn't take too long. My friend's had patients in worse shape recover in about six months. You're already able to make sounds, so I'd say you'll be fine within half a year."

A soft smile spread across Jessica's lovely face. Herbert could tell how badly she wanted to speak again. Honestly, he thought she'd need much less time—maybe just a few months-but he set her expectations a bit longer, knowing she'd be even more thrilled if she could beat that timeline.

He led her off for her neurological exam.

***

drank herself into a restless sleep, and woke up with her throat burning the next morning. She

her state, his anger flared. "Have you forgotten how many surgeries your vocal cords

was hoarse, her face twisted in

say another word. I'm

rang out behind him. Whipping around, he saw Sheila stumble, her ankle

three swift strides, he was at her side, catching her by the arm before she

familiar scent of cedar and a hint of smoke from his jacket. For a moment, she felt impossibly close to him. She pressed her cheek against his solid chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. His arms were warm and reassuring, wrapping her in a safety she'd longed

like him—so good, so dependable-yet he

endured it. But she couldn't shake

thought made Sheila's chest ache with jealousy. It was all Jessica's fault-her silence, her mysterious allure. Men couldn't resist a woman who seemed so reserved in public but was