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

Jessica divorced Timothy and cut

thing that really 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

confirmed their fears -her

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

split at the corner of her lips, he might never have known what

heart ached so badly it felt like

could he do this to

Little Mute, desperate to protect her, but

herself, until he finally realized and let go,

raised her hands, asking,

eyes were rimmed red.

can't stand knowing you've been in

PAGU

Jessica just smiled

past-even though it hurt-was already a

helped a lot. I barely

a whisper.

fully equipped, with a private

turned away, tears slipped from the corners of his eyes, fogging his

into the bathroom, closed the door behind him, and leaned back against

the tears he'd been holding back poured

his chest, as if