Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Last time, standing outside her apartment, she'd signed an avalanche of words at him.

He'd stayed the whole night, determined to finally clear the air between them.

But Henry's paper-cutting competition was about to start, and he'd had no choice but to leave.

Now, here she was again, pouring her heart out in a torrent of sign language.

He finally understood-she'd only misunderstood him.

It wasn't that she didn't love him.

Overwhelmed, he pulled her into his arms with one swift motion, holding her tightly.

"Let go."

Jessica shoved him away with all her strength. She hated him-hated the way he threatened the people around her.

Divorce was supposed to be just between the two of them, but he always dragged others into it.

"Nora, you've got it wrong. It's not what you think."

"Timothy, don't even try. I'm not going to believe you."

Jessica turned away from him, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I really meant it when I promised to make up your birthday. I stayed up all night, planning to come back early the next day. Henry was just making things up-you can ask him yourself. Sheila wasn't with me; she went ahead to attend Ines's comic convention."

"Enough."

All these explanations felt hollow and pointless.

If it weren't for their own son blurting it out, she'd never have known Sheila had gone to Capital City with him.

She'd even considered using the voice ring he'd given her that day, but when she called using Mabel's phone, it was Sheila who answered.

They were sharing a room.

"Nora..."

beyond repair. I married you because I loved you. I want a divorce because

by him and their son,

understand how cruel it was for her to see him, Sheila, and Henry

love me? Seven years of marriage-don't you think I'd

always known she

hurt her, the one who'd always been at a

at him, her smile shattered

chest tightened painfully. "Nora, can we stop fighting? No more arguments, please. Sheila's just family

her. Move her into

standing out across his knuckles and forehead.

the truth, Mr.

it."

Mr. Lawson?

Heh.

could call him by his

him Timothy. Now, it

hurry to cut ties with

"That's right."

hesitate her answer sharp

in the still waters of Timothy's

like

to keep then

his voice. "Ever

Herbert Wheeler showed up

You've

change

Vince had mentioned it

ket

Jessica,

Timothy knew firsthand that

he couldn't help