Goodbye, Mr. Regret

After a long moment's hesitation, Timothy finally let his hand fall to his side.

He sat quietly by the doorway, unmoving.

Even now, the results of today's paternity test left his mind in turmoil, refusing to settle.

The first time Vince had ever mentioned the soft pink heart-shaped birthmark on Salome's chest, Timothy's thoughts had flown straight to Jessica. Still, he hadn't taken it seriously. It seemed far too unlikely.

If only he'd gone ahead and done the paternity test back then-would things have turned out differently?

Jessica came out carrying a trash bag, intending to toss it out. The moment she opened the door, she found Timothy sitting right there on her doorstep.

Her brows creased; irritation flickered across her face.

He was impossible. He'd followed her here, again.

Jessica ignored him, dumped the trash in the communal bin outside, and turned back toward her apartment. As she reached for the doorknob, Timothy grabbed her wrist.

"Jessy."

His eyes were locked on her, refusing to let go.

These days, her face was devoid of smiles. Those beautiful eyes and delicate features had lost all their warmth.

But they'd been married for seven years. For so long, she'd always greeted him with laughter and gentle looks.

She'd never let being mute make her feel lesser than anyone else. She'd always faced life with a quiet optimism.

Now, her smile had slowly faded-replaced by nothing but indifference.

Jessica tried to shake his hand off, but he wouldn't let go.

He pulled her into his arms, tugging her closer despite the cast still strapped to his leg-he didn't care. He just wanted to hold her, to feel her there.noveldrama

But even injured, he couldn't overpower her for long. She pushed him away, struggling out of his embrace. Her hands moved rapidly, signing in irritation: "You're unbearable!"

Timothy's brow furrowed in frustration.

"I'm sorry, Jessy. I don't want to fight. Can't we just sit down and talk, calmly?"

But it was too late for that.

Nothing he said mattered to her anymore.

It wasn't as if she hadn't given them both enough chances.

On her birthday, she'd assumed he was upstairs with Sheila, but he'd actually gone out to order her a cake, She'd started doubting her suspicions, ready to make peace with their son.

But the next day, their son told the hospital staff she was just the housekeeper-

and that Sheila had gone on a business trip with Timothy.

Even Mabel, watching TV, saw them together and turned off the screen.

She'd called him, only for Sheila to answer while Timothy slept.

Jessica should never have believed him.

In Capital City, caught in a thunderstorm, the only person she thought to call for help was him.

He'd heard her plea for help, but

didn't come. Instead, he bought

get

brooch at the airport for Sheila and

even pretended to give one to Jessica as well.

Every hurtful moment replayed vividly in her mind. Who would be willing to listen

to his excuses after all that?

"I told you if you want to talk, take it

up with my lawyer. There's nothing

left to discuss between us.

don't bother me again."

She finished signing, walked back inside, grabbed her purse, and headed straight for the elevator.

She needed to get out, to avoid being trapped at home while he lingered outside and drove her crazy.

She'd thought coming abroad would finally bring a few days of peace. But even here, tranquility slipped through her fingers.

Seeing how unyielding Jessica was, Timothy finally accepted that she'd never come back to him.

So... the results of the paternity test-he'd just have to pretend they never existed.

With that, Timothy took the next elevator down and left.