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 chest in

then returned to

wouldn't risk her health these days, nor would she

her at all

he arrived, Mabel

bedroom door and found

headed for

was a brown envelope. He opened

had taken her own life when Jessica was eight; her father had disappeared

seven at the

was that same year she lost her voice-probably from

when she was six. How could she have formed such a deep

live with her grandmother in

her treatment, even getting swindled out of a

twelve or thirteen, survived on her own skills and

until Ines noticed her and offered sponsorship that life started

the file, wave after wave of

her far

her a comfortable

for a girl

tried to

went to the study and fetched the key

quietly unlocked

turned on the bedside

light, he watched her sleep-she looked

more weight.

was

features, he

mute, so that

mute

mind. She hadn't had

all these years. Even when she did no one would have ever imagined she might be related to

Kon

that Yates's personality reminded him a bit

a

out, wanting to touch her face, but pulled his