Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's eyes were glued to the screen, unmoving.

Even as the credits rolled and disappeared, Jessica's name lingered before his mind's eye, floating there as if the darkness itself couldn't swallow it.

She'd married him just a few months after graduating college.

He'd never shortchanged her when it came to money, not once.

Still, she lived frugally, turning the Gilded Whisper Estates into a well-ordered, peaceful home. The household account always matched her meticulous budget down to the last cent.

He'd only discovered her ledgers by accident one day. He told her there was no need to keep such detailed records-it was all just for the house, after all.

She insisted, saying that even if money came easily to him, it shouldn't be wasted. Luck, she said, was fragile and easily squandered-the hardest thing in the world to regain.

Timothy never understood her thinking.

And he never wanted to argue about it.

So he let it go.

A few days ago, he'd opened the safe.

Everything was still there. Not a single thing missing.

So where had she gotten the money to invest in this film?

Timothy couldn't figure it out, no matter how many times he turned it over in his head.

And this animated film-he wasn't an expert, but even he could see it had all the makings of a hit.

Unlike the usual movies set in either contemporary or historical times, this one unfolded in the future—a unique blend of science fiction and tradition, with a style all its own.

He'd never known his wife had this kind of talent-not just animating, but writing scripts too.

Even he, a man not prone to sentimental displays, had immediately thought of his own mother. There were several scenes that stung his eyes, made him blink back a sudden rush of tears.

Her stories of family, of love-they hit home, sharp and true.

The film's production was first-rate, too.

the theater seats around

remained, still

the next group

He missed her.

so much it felt like his heart

been missing her for a

since he'd come back from that business trip to attend Henry's father-son event, they hadn't really spent much time together.

wish to hold her felt like a

Whisper Estates, Timothy made his way to the

their marriage registration

dug it out

frame, both of them wore crisp white

known how

to help pin it in her hair with a clip. Her long black hair was braided and draped over

as the one he'd seen in Vince's social media posts a smile that

corners of his

once-eyes soft, happiness shining through

down, and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until it gleamed, then hung the photo back

before it, surveying

the photo back up, the bedroom looked just as it always

yet, something

paced a slow circle around the master suite,

onto the couch,

knew what

Love.

Jessica's love.

this wasn't home

warm. It wasn't peaceful. It wasn't the haven he

He'd lost his wife.

phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he

credits had

end as well. Vince had taken her to watch Carliste and the others' promotional livestream. The siblings laughed and chatted, both of them

of the movie on his phone, jotting

leave. Yates put away his

Vince

head to the passenger seat but