Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica's hand shook uncontrollably as she gripped the paring knife.

The man beside her slept deeply, completely unaware.

She couldn't bring herself to lower the blade.

At sixteen, she'd been accepted by recommendation into Riverside Media Institute, arriving in a city where everything felt unfamiliar.

Though Ines supported her and helped her secure a scholarship, Jessica refused to be a burden. At night, she'd set up a small stall in the park, selling paper-cut art for a bit of money.

One night, business was slow and she stayed out later than usual, only to be cornered by a group of thugs who nearly assaulted her.

She couldn't speak, not even to cry out for help, but Timothy-passing by— noticed something was wrong and intervened.

He chased off the gang and called the police, who soon dragged the troublemakers away.

All these years, she'd never forgotten the way he appeared beneath the streetlight, almost otherworldly, bringing with him a kind of awe she'd never known.

At the peak of her despair, when she'd nearly given up on life, Timothy had given her a reason to hope again.

He'd wrapped her trembling, filthy body in his suit jacket and personally walked her back to campus.

From that night on, he'd lived in her heart.

and become a rising star in the business world-the heir to The Lawson Group, with patents and

he was someone she could

she'd fallen helplessly in love with him, quietly following every bit of

his striking good looks drew her in

never dared dream she and Timothy would ever cross paths again, but life has

been so distant. Still, she

in pursuit of success-yet he'd noticed a terrified girl being bullied on the street and had the

believed he had

thugs, twelve years ago,

to go on living

him, to give his wife's place

a small wish-yet he refused to

it come

a moment, Jessica really did want to drive that knife into

couldn't

even bring herself to kill a fish, let alone

the pain that felt like it was tearing her heart to pieces, she choked back a