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.

already graduated college and become a rising

was someone she could never

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

good looks drew her

again,

years of marriage, and he'd always been so distant. Still, she believed he

stature, proud and aloof, who made every second count in pursuit of success-yet he'd noticed a terrified girl being bullied on the street and

he

what those thugs, twelve years ago, had

to go

leave him, to give

divorce-such a small wish-yet he refused

had it come to

Jessica really did want to drive that knife into his

couldn't

couldn't even bring herself to kill a

she choked