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But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn't push it.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

She'd just seen Timothy sign the divorce papers-so why was

they had no idea what Timothy had

back, maybe there

finally home," Sandra said, beaming.

hope you two can work things

in, polite for the benefit of Jessica's

get closer to Jessica-she was, after all,

after everything Timothy had put her through, they felt

her part, was distant as ever.

there. Once inside,

"How'd

worry about it," he muttered, not wanting to explain. "When

clearly wanted the house to

offended. She

a little better. Looks like you two are in for a long cold war-thanks to you, we're all on

couple was elderly;

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

I'm still learning from Ines, and I haven't

wanted to keep an eye on how things developed

he hadn't even told the Zimmerman

to Sheila. "Go buy yourself an apartment.

waved her off.

here to keep you company

my own apartment."

time, Timothy didn't try to make anyone