Goodbye, Mr. Regret

After a long moment's hesitation, Timothy finally let his hand fall to his side.

He sat quietly by the doorway, unmoving.

Even now, the results of today's paternity test left his mind in turmoil, refusing to settle.

The first time Vince had ever mentioned the soft pink heart-shaped birthmark on Salome's chest, Timothy's thoughts had flown straight to Jessica. Still, he hadn't taken it seriously. It seemed far too unlikely.

If only he'd gone ahead and done the paternity test back then-would things have turned out differently?

Jessica came out carrying a trash bag, intending to toss it out. The moment she opened the door, she found Timothy sitting right there on her doorstep.

Her brows creased; irritation flickered across her face.

He was impossible. He'd followed her here, again.

Jessica ignored him, dumped the trash in the communal bin outside, and turned back toward her apartment. As she reached for the doorknob, Timothy grabbed her wrist.

"Jessy."

His eyes were locked on her, refusing to let go.

These days, her face was devoid of smiles. Those beautiful eyes and delicate features had lost all their warmth.

But they'd been married for seven years. For so long, she'd always greeted him with laughter and gentle looks.

than anyone else. She'd always faced

slowly faded-replaced

his hand off, but he wouldn't

the cast still strapped to his leg-he didn't care. He just wanted to hold her, to feel her

he couldn't overpower her for long. She pushed him away, struggling out of his embrace. Her hands moved rapidly, signing in irritation:

brow furrowed in

want to fight. Can't we just

it was too

he said mattered

wasn't as if she hadn't given them

her birthday, she'd assumed he was upstairs with Sheila, but he'd actually gone out to order her a cake, She'd started doubting her suspicions, ready to make peace with their

day, their son told the hospital staff she was just

Sheila had gone on a business trip

watching TV, saw them together and turned

for Sheila to answer

should never have

City, caught in a thunderstorm, the only person she thought to call for help

plea for help,

Instead, he

get