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But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it.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.

and Abell, along with Sheila,

seen Timothy sign the divorce papers-so

and Abell were quietly delighted to see Jessica return, though they had no idea what Timothy had

was back, maybe

you're finally home," Sandra said,

all hope you two can work

in, polite for the benefit of Jessica's foster

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

they felt deeply awkward and didn't know how to

part, was distant as ever. She went straight to the master

there. Once inside, she locked the

over to Timothy. "How'd you convince her to come

worry about it," he muttered, not wanting to explain. "When are you two heading

the

offended.

a long cold war-thanks to you, we're all on her blacklist. She

sister drive you," Timothy offered. The couple was elderly; he didn't like the idea

us? If you

still learning from

eye on how things developed between Timothy and Jessica.

as ever; he hadn't even told the Zimmerman family that Jessica was actually

"Go buy

off. "Mom, I'm

to keep you company Once

my own apartment."

Timothy didn't try to make anyone