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,

didn't move until the next group came in

He missed her.

missed her so much it felt like his heart

he'd been missing

back from that business trip to attend Henry's father-son event, they hadn't really spent

simple wish to hold her

Timothy made his way to

searching for their marriage registration

out of a

them wore crisp white shirts, the background

how to savor

pin it

as the one he'd seen

corners

once-eyes soft, happiness shining through every

upstairs, Timothy went to the master bedroom, sat down, and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until it gleamed, then hung the photo back in its place on the

it,

photo back up, the bedroom looked just as

something was still

slow circle around the master suite,

sank onto

knew what was

Love.

Jessica's love.

her, this

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

He'd lost his wife.

his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he drafted a

credits

the others' promotional livestream.

movie on his phone, jotting down notes. He

Vince called him to leave. Yates put away his phone and followed him

Vince took the

head to the passenger seat but slid into