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.

him and laughed a

sorry, and

never shown an

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

Isn't it possible to go back

obsessed

only cared about the

minds would never

reason their

Timothy didn't

is no going

with grief-utter,

me, what's worth

of you give me a reason to return to the

really could go back, I'd go back to before I met you. I'd

"Stop.

didn't want to

"Please, Jessy. Just listen, okay? Be good, like before. I promise I'll make you happy. Didn't you say you wanted

almost languidly, lifted his hands

you out

even let us take a simple marriage photo-and

I'm out of my mind. I'm sick-sick with

pulled her into his arms,

ear, "Don't leave

you want-love, companionship—I'll give it all to

give you anything you ask

own will,

didn't struggle in his embrace. Her voice was terrifyingly

Timothy realized how impossible it was to reach her. If she would just drop the divorce and stay-just like before-he'd give her the whole

simple, yet so

The doorbell rang.

the housekeeper, shrank

how

Mr. Dawson

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

sŵnovel

should have been

SWI