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

sorry, and it almost sounded

had never

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

possible to go

was obsessed

only cared about the

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

their marriage

Timothy didn't

no

glistened with grief-utter,

me, what's worth

Do either of you give me

I'd go back to before I met you. I'd walk away. Choosing you was

"Stop. Don't say

didn't want to

her shoulders, his voice lowering almost 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

languidly, lifted his hands from her

out of your

couldn't even let us take a simple marriage

out of my mind. I'm sick-sick

her into his arms,

her ear,

want-love, companionship—I'll give it

you anything

own will,

in his embrace. Her

to reach her. If she would just drop the divorce and stay-just like before-he'd give her the whole

so simple, yet

The doorbell rang.

shrank back, hiding

how to

obvious Mr. Dawson wanted to save their

were a perfect match-they even had a son together. Now that Mr. Dawson wanted to change, maybe

sŵnovel

have been a

SWI