Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica's fingers tightened ever so slightly around the knife.

What was the point of his words now-did he expect her to be moved?

Sorry. That wasn't going to happen.

Timothy caught sight of her listless eyes and the glint of metal in her grip. His voice came low and rough. "About last night... I'm sorry. I lost control."

He sounded calm, almost gentle, as if he wanted to reach out and soothe the bruises he'd left on her cheek.

Jessica lifted her gaze, meeting Timothy's deep, ocean-blue eyes. A mirthless smile tugged at her lips.

Their marriage was unraveling, inching toward its end.

He played the same game over and over, each time cutting her heart open, letting it bleed anew.

Jessica's cold, bitter smile sliced right through Timothy.

He'd gone too far last night.

"It was my fault, I admit it, Jessy..." Suddenly, Timothy caught her hand, pried the knife from her loose grip, and tossed it aside. He crouched down in front of her, guiding her hand to his cheek. "Go ahead. Hit me. Don't stop until you're not angry anymore, okay?"

hand to his face,

as if nothing about this

voice thick with emotion. "It's been so long since we've been

never meant to hurt her

she went to take her shower last night, burning hotter with

bottle of whiskey, not even

to make things right, desperate to hold her gently, to coax her back to

even say how things had gone so wrong

said nothing. Only silence hung

Timothy raised his head, his eyes catching on the cut at the corner of her mouth. The memory of his own animalistic behavior twisted

warm-his voice the same way she used

he called her

in the throes of passion, would he

and again. But

hand, elegant and trembling, reached for her face, wanting to comfort her, to

a startled bird. She shook uncontrollably,