Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"For this one-month cooling-off period, you'll stay at home. I won't interfere with your work or restrict your freedom. Just remember, until we're officially divorced, you're still my wife-so don't embarrass me."

Jessica managed a weary smile.

"All right. Let's get it over with."

She finished signing, walked with Timothy out to his car.

"Jessy."

Vince called after her.

She paused for the briefest moment, but in the end, climbed into Timothy's car without a word.

Jessica stayed silent the entire drive.

At the courthouse, the divorce registration went smoothly.

Originally, Timothy had hoped Jessica would at least pretend for a month that their marriage was intact.

But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it. Just having her come home felt like a small miracle-he'd settle for that, for now.

The agreement lay ready-drafted by Timothy, in the same way he'd tricked her into coming home last time.

Everything Jessica was owed, Timothy included.

Jessica had no interest in the details; she didn't want any more trouble or delays. She simply signed her name on Timothy's contract.

She didn't make a scene. After leaving the courthouse, she went back to The Gilded Whisper Estates with Timothy.

Sandra and Abell, along

startled. She'd just seen Timothy sign the divorce

Jessica return, though they had no idea what Timothy

if she was back, maybe

home," Sandra said, beaming. "Timothy's

all hope you two can work

for the benefit of

to get closer to Jessica-she was, after all, their

put her through, they felt deeply awkward and didn't know how to

part, was distant as ever. She

were still there. Once inside, she locked

over to Timothy. "How'd you

not wanting to explain. "When are you

the

offended.

treat her a little better. Looks like you two are in for a long cold war-thanks to you, we're all on her blacklist. She probably doesn't Want to

The couple was elderly; he didn't

"Are you coming home with us? If you are, we can all go together-no need to trouble

leave yet. I'm still learning from Ines, and I haven't finished

leaving-she wanted to keep an eye on how things developed between Timothy and Jessica. If she left now,

hadn't even told the Zimmerman family that Jessica was actually Vince's

Sheila. "Go buy yourself an apartment. It's not really appropriate to

off. "Mom, I'm

I'm just staying here to

my own apartment."

time, Timothy didn't try