Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica shook her head and signed, "Don't tell anyone for now."

Herbert had said he could fix her voice, but she had no intention of spreading the news before she'd actually recovered.

That just wasn't her style.

If something went wrong and she didn't get better, she'd be the one left embarrassed.

"I'm guessing you don't want anyone else to know, either. Let me change your bandage and take off the gauze, so you won't have to fumble for answers if anyone gets nosy."

While Herbert went to get the medical kit, Jessica checked her phone. She had missed calls from Vince, and one from Ines.

Ines had sent a message, too, asking after her.

Jessica replied right away.

[Don't worry about me, Professor. I've arrived at Aetherion and everything is fine.]

She'd always been the type to share good news and keep troubles to herself.

The whole divorce ordeal-how could she possibly explain that in a few lines of text?

She would wait until she was back home for the court proceedings, then meet with her mentor in person and tell her everything. No need to make her worry now.

Ines replied quickly.

Mr. Smith while you're abroad I

sent back a smiley

my best. I

in, carrying

to turn sideways on the chair so he could reach her

then carefully unwound the gauze that circled her head a couple of

up her long hair to expose

had only asked his surgical

in iodine and gently cleaned

low voice, he asked,

and forefinger

gentler as he cleaned

meticulous care made Jessica

than Timothy, she'd never let another man get this

she quickly reminded herself-Herbert was her

it.

any other patient, he'd

was done, Herbert applied a fresh, small piece of gauze, covering only the incision, and let her hair fall back into place. You'd

her as she sat up.

meal of soup-nothing solid, since her throat still wasn't fully

I'd do without

When you were a

container and handed it to her.