Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"She can talk now. I'd like you to come over and help her with her illness."

Timothy spoke calmly, making his intentions clear.

Herbert let out a cold laugh. "I've been treating her all this time—she's almost cured. So what's with the act? You think just because you're asking me to help her now, it somehow makes up for all the pain you've caused her? That's wishful thinking."

Timothy's voice remained even. "Instead of sneaking around to help her, why not do it openly, with my permission?"

Jessica had told him she couldn't leave for at least a month. She hadn't gone into details, but Herbert knew there must be a good reason.

He didn't want to agree to Timothy's proposal, but in truth, it was the best option right now.

Face-to-face treatment always worked better. The fact that she could speak again was a huge step forward.

If Timothy was reaching out to arrange her treatment, then Jessica must have already returned home.

Timothy was a master at manipulating people's emotions.

Even knowing this, Herbert finally agreed.

Hearing Jessica speak again had always been her dream—and his. He felt responsible to see it through to the end.

After the call ended, Timothy didn't disturb Jessica.

Henry was still staying at the Lawson estate for now. Knowing Jessica probably

didn't want to see him, he headed to the office instead.

Around lunchtime, Mabel knocked on Jessica's bedroom door.

"Ma'am, lunch is ready."

Mabel didn't know the full story between Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, but it was clear enough that Jessica wanted to avoid her husband. Mabel quickly added, "Mr. Lawson's gone out."

She was worried Jessica might skip lunch and go hungry.

Only then did Jessica set down her mouse and open the door.

Mabel smiled. "We made all your favorites for lunch."

Jessica pressed her thumb to her

then returned

risk her health these days, nor would

bother her at

he arrived, Mabel told him Jessica had already gone to

bedroom door and found

headed for the

a brown envelope. He opened it

own life when Jessica was eight; her father had disappeared without

seven at

that same year she lost her voice-probably from the trauma of her

gone missing when she was six. How could she have formed such

went to live with her grandmother

a large sum. Overworked and devastated,

thirteen, survived on her

until Ines noticed her and offered

file,

neglected her far

and giving her a comfortable life was enough a

for a girl who couldn't

to truly

to the study and fetched the key to

quietly unlocked

on

her sleep-she looked

more weight.

she was

he could see traces of

mute, so that

mute

She hadn't

Even when she did no one would have ever imagined

Kon

had once commented that Yates's personality reminded him a

a tangle

wanting to touch her face, but pulled his hand back, afraid