Goodbye, Mr. Regret

If it weren't for a situation like this, Jessica would never dream of troubling

anyone.

Both of them had always been there for her.

But now, she couldn't be sure if either of them was free-she couldn't risk letting Timothy carve his name into her skin.

She wouldn't allow it.

Not for anything.

Just to be safe, she texted them both.

[Gilded Whisper Estates. Help me!]

Timothy ended his call. Jessica stood, glaring at him, cold and unyielding.

He walked over, a frown pinched between his brows. "Didn't we agree on this? Are you backing out now?"

She had only come back to take her medication.

She had never agreed to let him mark her body with his name.

"If I say no, are you going to force me?"

Timothy couldn't help but remember-that other time, when he'd forced her, and how badly she'd gotten hurt.

The memory twisted something in him.

He realized that, even after all this time apart, he still hadn't done anything to win her back.

If anyone ever saw her birthmark, it would be truly over for them-there'd be no way back.

The thought of a future spiraling out of his control left him deeply unsettled. He just couldn't let go of his wife.

"Jessy, I don't want to force you. Please, just do what you promised me, okay?"

"But when have you ever kept a promise to me?" Her voice was raw, brittle with pain that cut deeper than bone.

All she wanted was a divorce, a way to set herself free.

But he kept pushing her toward a dead end.

"I'm sorry."

Sincerity filled his eyes.

stared at him and laughed a hollow, bitter

said he was sorry,

his actions had never

voice broke, trembling. "I don't want this.

possible to

was obsessed with the

only cared about the

of sync; their minds would never meet. Maybe that

their

didn't see

is no

eyes glistened with grief-utter, hopeless

me, what's worth going

Or Henry? Do either of you give me a

to before I met you. I'd walk away. Choosing you was the biggest mistake

Timothy's voice darkened. "Stop. Don't say another

didn't want to

like before. I promise I'll make you happy.

languidly, lifted his hands from

out of your

couldn't even let us take a simple marriage photo-and now you're talking

out of my mind. I'm sick-sick

pulled her into his

ear, "Don't

companionship—I'll give it all to

anything you ask

my own

his embrace. Her

reach her. If she would just drop the divorce and

so simple, yet

The doorbell rang.

shrank back,

didn't know how to help

obvious Mr. Dawson wanted

Mrs. Dawson and Mr. Dawson were a perfect match-they even had a son together. Now that Mr. Dawson wanted to change, maybe if Mrs. Dawson gave him a chance,

sŵnovel

been a

SWI