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, her fingers

him, detached, as if nothing about this

her lap, voice thick with emotion. "It's been so long since we've been close. I just... I

to hurt

to take her shower last night, burning hotter with every minute at

not even a freezing shower could smother

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

couldn't even say how things had gone so wrong

said nothing. Only silence

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

off his tongue, deep and warm-his voice the same way she used to

he called her

in the throes of passion,

name again and again. But for

trembling, reached for her face, wanting

from his touch like a startled bird. She shook uncontrollably, her beautiful eyes glazed