Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Jessica, I saw your son with Sheila at the playground this morning. I went out of

my way to tell you, and this is how you react?"

Sallie's temper was notorious-she and Timothy were siblings, but their personalities couldn't have been more different.

Jessica's grip tightened on the taxi door handle.

She hesitated for a moment, then made up her mind and yanked the door open.

Sliding into the back seat, she managed a resigned little smile.

"A family day at the park," they'd said. What a lie.

The real family of three was them, not her.

Thank God she hadn't gone to watch herself be humiliated.

Sallie was so angry she looked about ready to explode. Jessica was just ignoring her!

Her son was practically being stolen away, and she didn't even care.

No wonder Henry's heart was full of Sheila.

Jessica only had herself to blame-no backbone at all.

It was enough to make Sallie furious.

She slammed on her sunglasses and stalked off.

Inside the taxi, the driver glanced back at Jessica. "Ma'am, where to?"

For a moment, Jessica realized she had no idea where she could even go.

No matter where she ran, if Timothy wanted to find her, it would be child's play.

Oh, right—she'd forgotten. She'd made him angry today; he probably wouldn't bother looking for her right now.

She fished out her phone, typed a quick message, and showed the driver: "Train station, please."

Timothy's SUV had barely left the neighborhood when he spun the steering wheel and doubled back.

The spot where Jessica had fallen was already deserted.

He pulled into the driveway, parked, and rushed inside.

Scanning the foyer, he was met by Mabel, the housekeeper.

"Sir, are you looking for something?" she asked.noveldrama

Timothy pressed his lips together. "It's nothing. Go on with your work."

Mabel nodded and disappeared down the hall.

So, she hadn't come back.

Timothy headed for his study, pulled open a drawer.

Inside: a stack of divorce papers.

He dragged out his chair, sat down, and lit a cigarette.

His cold gaze swept across the legal documents.

Irreconcilable differences...

Leaves the marriage with nothing...

The words were like a knife to the heart.

He took a deep drag, then crushed the cigarette into the ashtray.

One by one, he fed the divorce papers into the shredder.

His phone rang.

It was Henry.

"Dad, where are you? Aren't you coming?"

"I'll be there soon."

Timothy grabbed his keys and headed out again.

By this time, Jessica had arrived at the train station.

She stepped out of the taxi-and nearly bumped into Ines.

Ines was just coming out of the station.

"Jessica?" Ines blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Jessica took a moment to compose herself, then smiled and signed, *I'm heading back home for a bit.*

"Did you get your ticket yet?"

Jessica shook her head and signed, *Haven't had the chance.*

Ines said, "Last time in the city, your husband was there, so I didn't get to talk to

you privately. Since you haven't bought your ticket yet, why don't we find a place to sit and chat?"

Jessica hesitated, worry flickering in her eyes, but the hope in Ines's gaze left her with no choice but to agree.

They found a cozy café near the station and sat across from each other.

Ines ordered two coffees and beamed at Jessica. "I heard you married well and have such an adorable little boy. I'm genuinely happy for you."

Jessica's heart felt hollow.

To everyone else, she was just an ordinary woman-and mute at that-who had somehow married Timothy. In their eyes, she'd married up.

But the taste of that life-only she knew.

With her mentor sitting across from her, she didn't dare tell the truth. She could only force a small, polite smile.

Guilt weighed on her. She'd chosen this marriage and, in doing so, let down the teacher who had once believed in her and nurtured her potential.