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.

was waiting outside for Jessica, surprised to see her come out so quickly. "He

on her phone: "He still refuses to tell

of options, he'll talk to me. We

to comfort Jessica, but he was really

Zimmerman house,

to start speaking

she was living away from her family, with so many new people and situations around

not at

noticed something was different about the room behind her and immediately recognized

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

she was returning, not wanting him

date was coming up but hadn't asked her exactly when, assuming

was suddenly struck by the thought that maybe Jessica trusted Vince more than

for

nodded, then signed, "I think

"Really?"

expected her recovery to be so fast.

when I got emotional. I tried again, and I can talk.

and, slowly

off, her voice strained,

you won't even need the

still feels uncomfortable when I talk,"

keep up your exercises. Wait for me-I'III book a flight and come help

hearing tomorrow. For now, I'll keep practicing like before and keep taking the meds

but call me as soon as

decided to wait. If he left now and missed

wait until she arrived

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

they said their

for bed.