Goodbye, Mr. Regret

If she still couldn't find a solution, she'd think of another way to speak with

Timothy.

[At the hospital. Everything okay?]

[Yeah.]

[Send me the address-I'll come find you.]

Jessica sent him the location of a nearby café.

When she got inside, she ordered a glass of warm water. She took a few more painkillers—just in case. The last thing she needed was for Herbert, being a doctor, to notice something was off.

Half an hour later, Herbert rushed in, still looking a bit disheveled. There was a dark bruise at the corner of his mouth.

Jessica's brows knitted together. Mrs. Reynolds had told her his father hit him.

Herbert slid into the chair, adjusted his glasses, and managed a smile. "Hey, Little Mute. Want anything to drink?"

Jessica's chest felt tight. So much had happened-enough to worry Mrs.

Reynolds enough to come find her-and yet, even after being hit, Herbert could still smile as if nothing was wrong.

She signed heavily, *Does it hurt?*

Herbert's smile wavered for a second, but he quickly recovered. "You mean my lip? It's just a scratch. Doesn't hurt at all."

He still wouldn't talk about his family.

Jessica had no choice but to be blunt. *Has Timothy been giving you trouble?* she signed.

Herbert's eyes paused, a shadow crossing his face.

He clenched his fists for a moment. "Did my mom come to you?"

*Does it matter how I found out? I haven't contacted that lawyer, and I won't ask you to introduce me to anyone else. Talk to your family-see if it's possible to communicate with Timothy peacefully,* she signed firmly.

"If you don't get a lawyer, how are you going to get a divorce?"

From the moment he'd seen Jessica back in the country, he'd noticed the sorrow in her eyes. With her personality, she never would have chosen divorce unless she'd truly reached her breaking point.

"You haven't even sorted out your own problems, and you're worrying about mine?"

Herbert tried to reassure her, "It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it. The Wheeler Group can handle a little turbulence. Don't let it get to you."noveldrama

Jessica grew anxious. If this were just a little "turbulence," Mrs. Reynolds never would have come to her for help.

"Don't make it sound so simple. I know exactly what Timothy's like. Tell me what really happened?"

Her signing grew frantic. Herbert could tell she was worried sick.

She'd always been this way-kindhearted, always afraid of being a burden.

He could imagine how guilty she must be feeling right now.

"Trust me. It's nothing. I'm not the same Herbert you used to know. If I was scared of him, I wouldn't have introduced you to a divorce attorney. Little Mute, if you're truly determined to get a divorce, I'll stand by you-no matter what it costs."

His tone was earnest, his last words weighted with resolve.

But Jessica didn't want that.

Now she finally understood: if Timothy refused the divorce, getting out would cost her dearly. And with only six months left to live, there was no reason to let Herbert pay that price for her.

She couldn't let anyone get dragged down with her.

So, she forced herself to sign something she didn't mean.

*Honestly, it's not like I have to get divorced. Remember the storm that night in the city? I was scared and called him. He didn't pick up, and I got upset and acted on impulse. Later, I realized it wasn't that he didn't care-it was just the weather was too bad, and he couldn't make it over. I guess couples argue sometimes. It's normal.*

Herbert's smile faded. He looked at her seriously. "Little Mute, do you realize you're a terrible liar?"