Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She'd been tricked into this cage.

If she'd known, back then, why he really wanted to marry her-

No matter how much she loved him, she would never have agreed.

She would have fought her way out, no matter what.

"I don't want anyone else."

Jessica's gestures were firm, her expression steeled. "That's your problem, not mine. You heard Vince just now-he said he'd go look for his sister himself. Don't think you can threaten me with that. You know perfectly well what you did to me that night. For the sake of our son, I don't want him to be shamed by all this. But if you push me, I'll take you down with me. I have nothing left to lose."

Timothy had never seen her like this before.

She was always gentle, always smiling softly, her manners impeccable.

So when she first asked for a divorce, he thought she was just making a scene.

He never imagined it would come to this.

Some things, deep down in a person's bones, never change.

As a child, she'd always been obedient, mild-mannered, willing to yield on most things.

But when it truly mattered, she stood her ground.

Like that time in preschool, when a little girl from an ordinary family was being bullied by a rich boy. Jessica saw it happen and insisted the boy apologize. She wouldn't back down.

No compromise.

“The hearing is tomorrow. If you don't show up, I'll call the police."

Her hands dropped. She turned on her heel and walked away, her posture resolute, not a hint of hesitation in her stride.

Jessica, surprised to see her come out so quickly. "He didn't give you a

phone: "He still refuses

just trying to force you to go back. Once he's out of options, he'll talk to me. We won't fall for his

to comfort Jessica, but he was really

at the Zimmerman

to start speaking

many new people and situations around her,

at

was different about the room

came back home. I'm at the Zimmermans',"

was returning, not wanting him to

knew the court date was coming up but hadn't asked her exactly when, assuming she'd

home, Herbert was suddenly struck by the thought that maybe Jessica trusted Vince more than him—and felt

for the

"I think I can speak

"Really?"

so fast. It

a sound by accident when I got emotional. I tried again, and

hands and, slowly and carefully, called out,

speech was slow, the pronunciation a little off, her voice strained,

you won't even need the

feels uncomfortable

Just keep up your exercises. Wait for me-I'III book a flight

no need. I'll come see you after the hearing tomorrow. For now, I'll keep practicing like before and keep taking the meds

but call me as soon as you

he left now and missed her, it would be

arrived and hope

not to rush speaking, to avoid straining her vocal cords, and

they said

for bed.