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."

your charity? Did you forget? The money from The Gilded Whisper Estates-I earned that myself, through my own work. I'm perfectly capable of supporting myself. Seven years

don't want his son, either. Even if Henry shares my blood, I don't want him. So tell me, why should I treat you with any kindness? Blood ties

it somewhere else. Timothy and his son-when I valued them, they were precious. Now that I don't,

as Jessica's notes landed in front of him, his face alternating between shock and

to scold Jessica, she had already grabbed her

so furious

mute" of theirs had

Sallie figured Timothy must

of Jessica's notes and

She doesn't even

suggest

divorce Jessica. Content benet

SWI

still hovering the background,

Timothy opened the images.

he read, his handsome