Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She shrieked and collapsed to the floor.

But as she fell, she made sure to hold the pearl necklace in the hand that would hit the ground first.

The pearls scraped against the floor. The string snapped. Pearls scattered everywhere, rolling across the tiles.

Timothy's hand, which had been holding a paper bag of breakfast, suddenly went slack. The bag tumbled from his fingers, spilling food onto the ground.

Jessica frowned, barely pausing, and made to walk away.

Sheila, still on her knees, grabbed desperately at Jessica's pant leg. Her voice trembled. "I'm apologizing to you so sincerely-can't you just accept it?"

Timothy stared in shock at the pearls strewn across the floor. For a long moment, he couldn't move. Then he forced himself forward.

His lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line. He radiated a cold, cutting rage.

He reached Sheila in two quick strides, yanked her up, and pulled her into his arms. His eyes, sharp as glass, fixed on Jessica with unyielding fury.

He raised his hand, aiming a slap at Jessica's face.

Sheila, terrified, buried her face in Timothy's chest, unable to watch.

Timothy's palm stopped just short of Jessica's cheek, the air from his swing whispering across her skin.

He couldn't bring himself to do it.

slapped him before. Not even

a breath from her face, close enough that she could feel the cold

Her husband.

had once loved

finally going to hit her, for the sake

slap never landed on her cheek-but it landed squarely on her

hand back, his words low

shimmered with unshed tears. She turned on her heel, anger burning in

would finally agree

could just make

I was

apologize "

voice harsh. "You think she can accept you kneeling

Jessica was his wife.

aunt. Jessica's aunt,

had the right to accept

The doors slid shut, cutting her off from

go of Sheila and slowly knelt to pick up

mother's necklace. I ran out to give it back to you, but then I bumped into Jessy. She got upset when she saw the necklace. I tried to explain, but

it's my