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.

Just how many people were

and Timothy are friends- what if he lets something slip about where you

to get away. The last thing she wanted was to end up

and responded with her

to Timothy, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to help her

court. The hearing was in two weeks, and Timothy had

Herbert's fingers trembled.

trusted Vince-after knowing him for

Vince felt like a formidable

The pressure was on.

he said nothing more. He and Little Mute were, at most, childhood neighbors. There was nothing more between them. He had no right to interfere with whoever else might show

pursuing her in earnest. The sooner he could officially be with her, the sooner he could chase away

take Jessica to the hospital for a checkup, but Jessica insisted he rest for a bit and recover from

fine," Herbert said. "This won't take long Your vocal cords are the priority looked at your photos closely-looks like there's some bleeding. Have you coughed up

remembered the third morning after

brushing

it was from