Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's head snapped to the side as the blow landed.

Both Sandra and Sallie gasped in shock.

Sallie started forward, but Sandra grabbed her arm, shooting her a warning glance-don't get involved.

Jessica's eyes were cold as ice, her voice trembling with fury. "If you so much as lay a finger on Herbert, I swear I'll kill you."

Herbert had cured her muteness, given her a second chance to speak. He was her savior, the one who'd helped her leave the Wheeler family for her own sake. There was no way she would let Timothy hurt him.

Timothy suddenly let out a harsh, bitter laugh and turned to face her. "So you care about him that much now? You'd kill your own husband for him?”

He grabbed her shoulders, his grip unsteady and desperate. "Tell me did you sleep with him? Is that why he knows about the birthmark on your chest?"

Vince stepped in, roughly pulling Timothy away and shoving him back.

The ground outside was slick with snow; Timothy, already weak, couldn't keep his balance. Vince, driven by anger, shoved hard, and Timothy went sprawling onto the icy ground.

He looked utterly defeated.

was no going

of trust in Jessica. Without trust, how

her voice trembling with worry. "Timothy,

the countless scars on his back. Watching him hit the ground just

and Vince, her tone full of regret. "I don't approve of what Timothy's done

get physical, I won't say a word against you. Jessy, please don't be angry. I'll take him away right now so

apology net

howled outside, and the clatter of pans drowned

Zachary took off his apron. "Why haven't they come in

go too," Mrs. Zimmerman

enough to go out in the cold.

to lead Timothy away, but Sallie couldn't swallow her anger. Tears filling her

ovel