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

then typed a message on her phone: "He still refuses to

to go back. Once he's out of options, he'll talk to

Jessica,

the Zimmerman house, Jessica

to start speaking

many new people and situations

not at

about the

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

Herbert she was returning, not wanting him

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

the thought that maybe Jessica trusted

for the

signed, "I think I can speak

"Really?"

be so fast. It had only been

accident when I got emotional. I

her hands and, slowly

little off, her voice strained, but

this rate, you won't

feels uncomfortable when I

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

no need. I'll come see you after the hearing tomorrow. For now, I'll keep practicing

but call me as soon as you get

If he left now and

until she arrived and hope

to rush speaking, to avoid straining her vocal cords, and to

they said their

got ready for bed. She