Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Whenever Timothy returned from a business trip, he would make sure to please Jessica in bed, giving her the best experience he could offer.

As for why he never brought her to meet anyone from the outside world he had his reasons.

Aside from not spending much time with her, Timothy fulfilled every other obligation a husband should. In his eyes, their marriage was perfectly satisfactory.

She played the part of a dutiful wife, and he believed that was enough-for both of them.

But when had it started? When did she become so dissatisfied with their marriage, with him?

Timothy's gentle, earnest questions nearly brought Jessica to tears.

He wasn't blind to her sadness.

He saw it-of course he did.

But he had always chosen to ignore it.

With her hand still held tightly in Timothy's, Jessica couldn't bring herself to

answer.

Timothy lowered his voice, coaxing her softly, "This is my first time being a husband. If I've failed you in any way, just tell me and I'll change. Isn't that enough?"

He was rarely this patient.

But watching her so despondent was more than he could bear.

The sorrow in her empty, distant eyes carved out a hollow space in his chest.

She didn't want him to change.

She had loved him once, and she knew all too well-letting go of deep love was the hardest habit to break.

She was simply... too tired to keep loving him. She didn't want to try anymore.

It would take time to rip out the tangled roots of her feelings, to tear away the love that had taken hold so deep within her heart.

And then there was Sheila-his aunt.

She would always be a part of their lives. There was no escaping that.

Jessica could never match Timothy's status or background.

But they were both equal citizens, bound together by law, each holding the same rights within their marriage.

She couldn't accept that her husband loved another woman.

Their marriage was already crowded-how could there be room for a third person?

Just then, Timothy's phone rang.

He let go of Jessica's hand, stood up, and with practiced grace, reached inside his suit jacket for his phone.

It was a call from Ines.

"Hello, Ines."

Jessica's thoughts faltered when she heard the name.

"Timothy, I tried calling Jessica earlier, but her phone's been off all day. I still can't get through. Is she home?"

"She's not home, but we're together right now."

Timothy glanced down at Jessica; she looked up at him in return.

On the other end, Ines continued, "Um... could you let her take the call? I need to talk to her."

Ines had planned to speak with Timothy first, to ask him not to recommend Sheila to Mr. Smith for the film role-Jessica was the better fit. But she couldn't be that blunt with Timothy, so she decided to talk to Jessica instead and let her bring up the matter with him.

"Sure."noveldrama

Timothy didn't object. Jessica seemed so downcast tonight; maybe a conversation with Ines would help.

He put the call on speaker.

"Ines wants to talk to you," Timothy said. "If you want to respond, just use sign language and I'll relay it."

"Jessica..."

Ines's familiar voice came softly over the line. "I owe you an apology. Mr. Smith came by my studio today and told me Timothy had asked him for a role in his new film. I assumed you and Timothy had discussed it and that he was using his connection with Mr. Smith to get you the part. But when we all met up this evening, Timothy brought Sheila along—and that's when I realized he was actually recommending Sheila for the role..."

Jessica's hands curled into fists.

Of course.

So that's what all his sweet words meant.

He wanted her to join forces with him—as husband and wife-to help Sheila land that role.

How ruthless.

He spoke with the gentlest voice, wielding the sharpest knife.