Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert drove Jessica back to her apartment.

During the ride, Jessica found it difficult to communicate with him since he was focused on the road.

As soon as they stepped inside and sat down, Jessica turned to Herbert and immediately began signing an apology. "I know you only fought with Timothy because you wanted to stand up for me. I shouldn't have spoken to you so harshly earlier. I'm sorry."

Her nerves had been on edge before; she was anxious and upset.

Now, with a lawyer ready to take her case, things felt far less overwhelming than if she'd tried to press charges on her own.

Take that contract she'd signed with Timothy, for example-she'd missed so many flaws, simply because she wasn't a professional. She wouldn't have stood a chance against Timothy's attorney in court, especially since she couldn't speak. It had nearly slipped her mind, in her haste, that she simply couldn't argue her own

case.

Herbert's temper had cooled by now. He realized he'd acted on impulse.

His voice was low, heavy with regret. "I'm the one who should apologize..."

Jessica had no family to rely on. Her husband and son had long since turned away from her. The warmth and protection Herbert offered felt as close to family as she could get.

She was deeply grateful for that.

She'd scolded him earlier only because she didn't want to drag him into her mess.

as if to comfort him. "Herbert, I know you have my best interests at heart. I just didn't have time to explain before—I

how Larkin

that I doubt your abilities. I know you're not afraid of Timothy. It's just—I am. I'm afraid he'll come after you, and then all of this will

that Jessica still treated him like an

was the realization that, compared to Timothy, his own status and influence just weren't enough to protect her the way he wanted

Jessica had to

a

understand. Since Vince has

lawyer to handle your divorce,

noon-let's grab

restaurant. Before leaving, Herbert reminded Jessica to set aside some time tomorrow to visit him at the hospital so they could

to her apartment, she collapsed onto

though she'd spent the night in the hospital after coughing up blood yesterday, exhaustion still weighed

before drifting off, not wanting to miss her meeting with

checked the portfolio she'd saved on her phone. It was almost

arranged to meet her at a coffee shop and

purse,

Meanwhile, Vince wanted nothing,