Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica didn't want to say a single word.

To the Lawsons, she was nothing more than a mute-an invisible parasite clinging to Timothy for survival.

Not one of them respected her thoughts, nor did any of them care about what she had to offer.

When she loved Timothy, she'd been willing to give up every bit of her talent for him, content to stay home and play the doting wife and mother.

But now that love was gone. She was ready to reclaim her strengths, step back into the professional world, and let herself shine again.

She wouldn't waste another moment of her life on this hollow marriage.

Now that her voice could be restored and her life possibly extended, she was determined to live for herself from here on out.

She pushed the velvet box across the table to Sallie, grabbed the notepad and pen meant for placing orders, and began writing furiously.

"I don't want your gifts, and I certainly don't want your apologies!"

She tore off the note and handed it over.

Then another.

"When I loved Timothy, you were his sister. I respected you. No matter how you treated me, I endured it. But now, please drop the holier-than-thou act, Miss Lawson. I'm done playing by your rules."

little present is enough for me to smile and accept your charity? Did you forget? The money from The Gilded Whisper Estates-I earned that myself, through

blood, I don't want him. So tell me, why should I treat you with any kindness? Blood ties bind you

your weight around as Miss Lawson, go do it somewhere else. Timothy

in front of him,

the time Sallie found her voice and tried to scold Jessica, she had already grabbed her handbag and walked

furious her chest

mute" of theirs had grown

that evening, Sallie figured Timothy must

photos of Jessica's notes and

at what she wrote. She

suggest outright that Timothy

divorce Jessica. Content benet

SWI

still hovering

Timothy opened the images.

read, his handsome features turned cold