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.

and laughed

said he was sorry, and it almost

his actions had never shown an ounce of

His voice broke, trembling. "I don't

Isn't it possible to go back to

was obsessed with

cared

out of sync; their minds would never meet. Maybe that was

their

didn't

is no

eyes glistened with grief-utter,

worth going

Do either of you give me a reason to return to the

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

darkened. "Stop. Don't say

didn't want to hear

to a plea. "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

lifted his hands from

you out of your

a simple marriage photo-and now you're talking about a

my mind. I'm sick-sick with needing you,

her into his arms, holding her

her ear,

want-love, companionship—I'll give it

anything you ask

my own

in his embrace.

it was to reach her. If she would just drop the divorce and stay-just

so simple, yet so

The doorbell rang.

shrank

didn't know how

Dawson wanted

had a son together. Now that Mr. Dawson wanted to change,

sŵnovel

should have been

SWI