Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Timothy, listen to me this is serious. If you don't get back soon, your wife is going to walk out on you!"

Timothy's long fingers curled slightly, dark eyes narrowing in the dim light. He was silent for a moment, then spoke in a slow, low voice. "She can't even speak. If she leaves me, where exactly is she going to go? Stop making a fuss about nothing."

"No, Timothy, you don't understand-she-"

"I'm busy. I don't have time for this. If you have something to say, save it until I get back."

He hung up without waiting for a response.

Sallie stared at the phone's dead screen, then threw it onto the couch in

frustration.

Useless-every last one of them.

Especially Jessica.

Timothy had already run off to see Sheila, and Jessica-what, she thought cozying up to some other man would make Timothy come crawling back? As if Timothy would care.

And Sheila... utterly shameless. Was she trying to ruin Timothy?

With a sigh, Sallie bent to pick up her phone and quickly booked a flight to Marisbright.

Their mother had died giving birth to her and Timothy, and their father, now remarried, had a new family-two kids with his new wife. He treated Sallie and Timothy decently enough, but it was obvious where his heart truly lay.

She and Timothy were twins; nothing could be closer. When it came to Timothy, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.noveldrama

After leaving Sallie's place, Jessica checked into a hotel. She took a long, hot shower and was just drying her hair when her phone buzzed.

[Hey, Little Mute. Sallie didn't give you too hard a time, did she?] Herbert's message popped up.

[I'm fine.]

She was used to it. Sallie had always been like that.

Herbert's name flickered on the screen as he typed, deleted, then finally settled on a simple line.

[As long as you're okay. Try and get some rest.]

[Good night.]

Jessica had just set her phone down when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door-and there was Timothy.

Her eyes widened in shock. Wasn't he supposed to be overseas? Even if Sallie

had tattled, there was no way he could have gotten back so fast.

Jessica stood frozen in the doorway. Timothy reached for her wrist, pulling her inside before closing the door behind them.

He looked exhausted-there were shadows under his eyes-but his handsome features were as striking as ever.

He pressed her gently down onto the sofa, then sat beside her with practiced elegance. From the inside pocket of his suit jacket, he drew out the Voice Emitting Ring, holding it between his fingers.

Jessica's face was calm, almost blank. She'd already returned the ring days ago.

"Why won't you keep it?" His voice was hoarse, tinged with irritation.

Jessica turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

He pulled her closer, and she tumbled into his arms. His familiar cologne surrounded her, woodsy and deep.

His embrace was broad and warm, once her safest harbor. Now? Who knew how

many others he'd held just like this. She didn't want it anymore.

She tried to wriggle free, but Timothy held her fast, pinning her in his lap.

"If you're not going to speak, then don't even think about moving," he muttered.

Jessica's patience snapped. She signed quickly with her hands.

I was never able to speak anyway.

He arched a brow. "Still stubborn, huh? Now you've learned to spar with me in silence."

With that, he slipped the ring carefully onto her left ring finger.

Jessica's heart skipped a beat.

They say the ring finger is closest to the heart-that's why wedding rings go there. Maybe that's why her heart was pounding so hard.

But she steadied herself, resolved.

When she lifted her hand to remove the ring, Timothy's hands caught hers, his

long fingers threading through hers, locking them together.

He looked her straight in the eye, gaze intense.

"Keep it on. Don't even think about taking it off."