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?"

Though he pressed her hand to his face, her fingers stayed

him, detached, as if nothing about this

voice thick with emotion. "It's been so long since we've been close. I just... I missed you. I missed you so much

meant to hurt her like

started the moment she went to take her shower last night, burning hotter with every minute at

whiskey, not even a freezing shower could smother

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

even say how things had gone

Only

corner of her mouth. The memory of his own animalistic behavior twisted

his tongue, deep and warm-his voice the same way

called her

darkness, in the throes of

name again and again. But

reached for her face, wanting to comfort her,

a startled bird. She