Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Ines was the animation director at Riverside Media Institute, and Jessica was one of the school's alumni.

That comic-style version of The Grand Canal, Venice...

Timothy clenched his fist. His silent little wife really was something-she'd managed to keep this from him for seven whole years!

No wonder Ines said that deciding whether to take Sheila on as a student had something to do with Jessica.

Timothy spoke up, his tone even, "Ines, did you know Jessica was my wife all along?"

"Not for very long, actually," Ines replied. "The Lawson Group made your marriage certificate public— I just happened to see it online. That's when I realized Jessica had married you. The last time I visited your house, it was because I wanted to surprise her. Unfortunately, she wasn't home. I was a bit disappointed."

Ines glanced sideways at Jessica, her eyes full of admiration.

Jessica happened to meet her gaze, a wave of guilt welling up inside her.

Back when she chose to give up her career, her mentor had been heartbroken.

Not long ago, Ines had reached out again, thinking that after seven years of marriage Jessica's life would have settled down. She offered Jessica another opportunity-but Jessica had turned her down once more.

She'd thought that if they ever met again, Ines would be angry.

But she wasn't.

There was still nothing but appreciation in her eyes.

Timothy rubbed his fingertips together thoughtfully.

No wonder that day Ines visited, he'd told Jessica in advance, and she'd definitely been home—yet somehow, she'd hidden herself away. After Ines left, Jessica showed up with the corners of her eyes red.

Now, Jessica looked at Ines and signed, "I'm sorry, Professor..."

Ines patted Jessica's hand and smiled. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Once I realized you'd married President Lawson, I understood why you decided to step away from your career. President Lawson is a remarkable man—someone well worth spending your life with."

Timothy straightened his back a little, the words pleasing him more than he cared to admit.

All the restlessness and anger Jessica had stirred up in him seemed to melt away. But Jessica didn't dare say a word.

Her mentor clearly thought highly of Timothy. If Ines ever found out her marriage was on the verge of collapse, she'd be worried and upset that wasn't something Jessica wanted to see.

Sheila, surprised, blurted out, "Ines, you can read sign language?"

Ines smiled. "Yes. Back when I wanted to bring Jessica on board, I learned sign language specifically so we could communicate more easily. Miss Howard, you understand Jessica's signing too?"

Sheila balled her hand into a fist.

It was clear Ines had always valued Jessica highly.

She knew Timothy was trying to convince Ines to take her on as a student, but now, things were looking shaky.

She couldn't bear the idea of losing out to someone who couldn't even speak.

She forced a smile. "What a coincidence. You haven't seen Jessica in seven years, and it was seven years ago that I had an accident and injured my vocal cords. I went through several surgeries and thought I'd never speak again. I was depressed for a long time. It was about six months later that I started learning sign language."

Jessica's fingers curled tighter at those words.

After she and Timothy got married, they communicated by her writing notes or texting on her phone.

Then, half a year later, he suddenly announced he wanted to learn sign language. Most of what he knew-she'd taught him herself.

Unbidden, Jessica glanced at Timothy.

He happened to be looking back at her. Their eyes met and held for a moment. Timothy's expression was unreadable.

Jessica felt more foolish than ever. It was as if she'd never truly understood thisnoveldrama

man.

Then Timothy broke the silence. "Jessica, you mentioned you know how to do papercutting, and... animation, right? Are you thinking of going back to work?"