Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy didn't lay a hand on her.

Maybe all he wanted was to scare Little Mute into going back.

Jessica signed, "You're getting better every day, you know. I'm honestly so proud

of you."

But Herbert couldn't share in her happiness-not with the Wheeler family

breathing down his neck. He was still under their thumb.

Little Mute refused to drag him into her troubles. He couldn't protect her openly,

not when it would only make things worse for her.

He forced a wry smile. "I'm not nearly as impressive as you think I am."

“To me, you're already wonderful,” Jessica signed softly, her gestures full of warmth. "Don't overthink any of this. I understand."

She was well aware of the real reason behind everything. Timothy's actions were cruel in ways words couldn't express.

Using the Wheeler Group to threaten Herbert had left him cornered. In a world defined by competition and pride, no man wanted to feel bested by another. If it hadn't been for his desire to help her, none of this mess would even exist.

They'd known each other since childhood. To have things come to this, right in front of her, would surely bruise his pride.

never cared about things like

more. Once Jessica divorced Timothy and

mattered now was helping her recover her voice. It was rare to get her away from Riverside City, and he finally had time to help with her treatment. If he could schedule the minimally

their fears -her throat had been injured by force, and at some point,

had they returned to Herbert's office than he pulled Jessica into

he hadn't seen the bruises on her cheek and the split at the corner of her lips, he might never have known what she'd truly endured, even after reading

badly it felt like it

he do

tightened around Little Mute, desperate to

trying to free herself, until he

her hands, asking,

were rimmed red.

brush it off, mumbling, "Your throat's so inflamed-I can't stand knowing you've been in pain

PAGU

just smiled

free from the past-even though it hurt-was already a

you had sent over helped

sign those words, Herbert's voice dropped to a whisper. "Wait here for a moment. I

and fully equipped, with a private

from the corners of his eyes,

hurried into the bathroom, closed the door

his eyes shut, the tears he'd been holding back poured down, streaming over his

pounded it against his chest, as if trying