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.

at him and laughed a hollow, bitter

he was sorry, and it almost sounded

had never

don't want this. We weren't always

right? Isn't it possible to go back to

obsessed with

cared

their minds

their marriage

Timothy didn't see

is no

with

worth going back

Henry? Do either of you give me a reason to return to

really could go back, I'd go back to before I met you. I'd walk away. Choosing you was the biggest

Timothy's voice darkened. "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 wedding photos? A ceremony? I can arrange it right now— photographers, a beautiful wedding-everyone will know

languidly, lifted

you out of

simple marriage photo-and now you're

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

his arms, holding her

her ear,

give it all to

you anything you ask

my own

his embrace. Her voice was

would just drop the divorce and stay-just like before-he'd give

so simple, yet

The doorbell rang.

housekeeper, shrank back, hiding herself

know how to

was obvious Mr. Dawson wanted to

together. Now that Mr. Dawson wanted to change, maybe if Mrs. Dawson gave him a chance, the

sŵnovel

should have been a

SWI