Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert forced a bitter smile. "I brought you some breakfast. Eat a little first.”

Jessica gave him a grateful nod, her silent thank you as expressive as any words.

When Herbert got off the plane, he'd stopped to buy breakfast. By the time he reached her, the morning chill had already settled in.

Jessica really was hungry.

As Herbert opened the food container, she glanced at him and asked if he'd eaten. Herbert assured her he'd had something earlier, on his way over.

He'd brought her a hearty soup-the kind Jessica had been craving since yesterday, but hadn't been able to find nearby.

She finished the bowl in one go, not leaving a drop, her hunger plain to see.

Herbert, ever the doctor, knew exactly why. With her sore throat, she'd probably barely eaten anything lately. If she wanted to speak again someday, she had to be careful with what she ate.

She hadn't even contacted him until she was safely in Aetherion.

"Little Mute," he asked gently, "how did you manage to get on the flight to Aetherion?"

Jessica explained-Vince had flown her to Cloverdale by helicopter. And then, after Timothy's sudden car accident, she'd easily caught a flight from there. Even this apartment had been arranged by Vince.

Herbert immediately tensed.

people were lining up to

just stay at my place? Vince and Timothy are friends- what if he lets something slip about

away. The last

responded with her hands, "I

intended to betray her to Timothy, he wouldn't have

Timothy would be settled in court. The hearing was in two weeks, and

Herbert's fingers trembled.

trusted Vince-after knowing him

Vince felt like

The pressure was on.

There was nothing

was divorced, he'd start pursuing her in earnest. The sooner he could officially be with her,

to take Jessica to the hospital for a checkup, but Jessica insisted he rest

won't take long Your vocal cords are the priority looked at your

morning after everything

while brushing her

it was from the