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.

seats around

Timothy remained, still

the next group

He missed her.

much it felt like his heart

he'd been missing her for a long

hadn't really spent much time

the simple wish to hold her felt like

Whisper Estates, Timothy made his way to the

searching for their marriage registration

dug it out

them wore crisp white shirts, the background a

how to savor

day they got their marriage certificate, she'd brought along a simple white veil, asking him to help pin it in her hair with a clip. Her long black hair was

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

felt the corners of his mouth

once-eyes soft, happiness

Timothy went to the master bedroom, sat down, and took out a pack of wipes. He cleaned the glass until

before it,

up, the bedroom looked just

something was

paced a slow circle around the master suite,

sank onto the

knew what

Love.

Jessica's love.

this

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

He'd lost his wife.

phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he drafted

the credits had

had taken her to watch Carliste and the others' promotional

of the movie on his phone, jotting down notes. He

livestream ended, Vince called him to leave. Yates put away

Vince took the

passenger seat but slid into