Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She must have fought back with everything she had-so fiercely, so desperately, that her voice was damaged all over again, the strain turning into a fresh infection. And yet, when he saw her, she just smiled at him, gentle as always.

She swallowed all her pain in silence, bearing it alone.

Herbert felt like he was about to lose his mind.

Thud, thud, thud-

A knock sounded at the door.

Herbert quickly took off his glasses, turned on the faucet, and splashed water onto his tear-stained face. After drying off, he stepped out.

Jessica was waiting just outside the bathroom, her hands fluttering in anxious sign language: "You were in there for so long-I thought something happened to you."

She fixed her gaze on his eyes, pausing in surprise. "Why are your eyes so red?" He could wash away the tears, but not the redness.

He forced a faint smile. "I was trying out contact lenses. Guess I'm not used to them-my eyes got irritated."

"Then don't wear contacts," Jessica replied, smiling back. "I think you look handsome in glasses anyway."

The glasses suited him. They softened the edge he'd carried as a teenager, transforming his whole presence into something calmer, more approachable.

And that, Jessica had always hoped for.

seeing him get into fights-no matter how skilled he was, he always ended up hurt now and

more

was tired of hiding behind a mask, tired

he looked good in glasses, then glasses

worried, asked if her throat injury would affect her ability

of rest, you'll be fine. You've just arrived in Aetherion Mr. Smith won't rush you straight into work Tomorrow, I'll schedule you for a minor procedure. After that, you'll need a little time to recover, but once your throat heals, you can start rehab right away. That way, you'll save time, and your recovery will go much

finally relaxed enough to ask what

Timothy retaliated against

it would have cost him dearly. Now that you're back with

Little Mute,

don't have

worry about any

brother are still at the helm-they won't let anything happen

Jessica nodded.

go with you to pick up your medicine," Herbert

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