Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince knew all too well-getting Timothy thrown in jail wouldn't be easy. Still, the evidence they had would be more than enough for a divorce.

Jessica agreed.

She couldn't speak; she'd been mute since birth. That made her a person with a disability, and when something like this happened, the social services took the matter seriously.

She'd made her wishes clear-she didn't want to blow things up into a public scandal. She just hoped the relevant authorities could help mediate the divorce quietly.

The women's advocacy group also filed an application on her behalf.

After the incident, Jessica hadn't changed her clothes or tried to clean herself up —she'd preserved all the evidence, knowing it would be needed.

She wanted out. The old evidence might have been twisted by Timothy's expensive lawyers, but after last night, even the best attorney in the city couldn't talk their way out of this.

Once everything was in motion, Vince drove Jessica to a hotel.

After settling her in, he went out and bought her several sets of clothes— everything from pajamas to comfortable daywear.

When he returned, Jessica was still in the shower.

Vince took a set of pajamas out of the bag. "Jessy, I'm leaving some clothes for you right outside the bathroom door, okay? You can grab them when you're done."

Jessica knocked the showerhead lightly against the wall, letting him know she'd heard.

walked into the living room, where he texted his assistant to pick up

eaten breakfast, and it was nearly noon. Given her state, he doubted she'd

texting, a message popped up on his phone. It

*Where are you?*

expression hardened. He

was Timothy's wife. Vince was Timothy's friend. By all logic, he shouldn't be

he couldn't

Bryant's words from the other

actually... cared

name for

wanted to call him out. When Jessica talked about divorce, he couldn't stop himself from wanting to help. The last time he learned Timothy had hurt her, he'd been

And this time...

wanted to

didn't know

when he saw her this morning her torn clothes, exposed skin, long legs-his only instinct was

bathroom door crack open-a soft sound, followed by the

now, knowing she was just out of the shower, his thoughts didn't stray for a

just wanted her to