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.

I know you have my best interests at heart. I

Herbert about how she'd met Vince, how Larkin was

she signed again, "It's not 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 be my fault. Do you understand how I

hated that Jessica still treated him like an

his own status

had to worry about him

a smile.

understand. Since Vince has

lawyer to handle your divorce, I'll step back for

noon-let's grab some

aside some time tomorrow to visit him at the hospital so

to her apartment,

spent the night in the hospital after coughing up blood yesterday, exhaustion still weighed

wanting to miss her meeting with

shower, changed her clothes, and double- checked

had arranged to meet her at a coffee shop and sent her the location well in

her purse, Jessica

Meanwhile, Vince wanted nothing,