Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica's phone was still ringing. Ignoring Timothy's question, she rummaged through her handbag and pulled it out.

Herbert's name flashed on the caller ID.

She hesitated, torn about whether to answer.

Timothy climbed out of bed and strode over. Without warning, he snatched the phone from her hand.

She instinctively reached to grab it back.

But Timothy had already seen Herbert's name. His expression darkened, eyes narrowing with a cold, steely glint as he swiped to answer and put the call on speaker.

"Jess, did you add Attorney Riley? He's never lost a divorce case."

Timothy's jaw clenched, his features hard as iron, eyes glittering with icy menace. So it was really happening a divorce. And she was plotting with another man.

He'd forgotten to ask about those suspicious messages earlier. Now, here was another call, egging her on.

Timothy's voice was calm but sharp as frost, lips barely parting. "Trying to steal from under my roof, Herbert? Where'd you get the guts?"

Jessica's face went pale, then flushed.

She was the one who'd asked Herbert for help with the lawyer.

Timothy's tone was unmistakably threatening.

She snatched the phone back and hung up, her fingers trembling. She couldn't let Herbert get dragged into this.

Timothy's eyes narrowed; a faint, mocking smirk tugged at his lips. "What's got you so worked up? Worried I'll go after your little friend?"

Jessica's brows knit together, but she said nothing, staring at him in silence.

His long, cold fingers seized her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.

"Is this why you've been pushing me away lately?" he demanded, his grip tightening. "You think you can cheat on me and get away with it? You better hope your little boyfriend can handle the fallout."

He shoved her face aside, anger burning across his sharp features.

Jessica turned her head away, biting down on her lip, fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white.

Timothy pulled out his own phone and dialed.

"Allen, I want everything you can find on Herbert-in thirty minutes!"

He practically growled the words.

Jessica spun around, grabbing his arm, shaking her head desperately, pleading with her eyes: Don't.

Seeing her so distraught over another man sent a surge of pain and fury through Timothy's chest. He yanked his arm free, and Jessica lost her balance, collapsing onto the floor.

Timothy's eyes flickered. For a split second, he nearly stepped forward to help her up, but stopped himself.

He looked down at her, vulnerable and fragile, and for a moment, she seemed heartbreakingly innocent.noveldrama

Which only made him angrier.

Frantically, Jessica began signing, her hands trembling: "Herbert has nothing to

do with the divorce. I asked him for help-don't drag him into this."

"Too late," Timothy snapped, his tone hard as steel.

Jessica's mind was a storm of panic and guilt.

Herbert had only meant well. If anything happened to him or to the Wheeler family because of her...

She'd never forgive herself.

She scrambled up and grabbed Timothy's shirt, shaking her head in desperate denial.

He seized her shoulders, pushing her back against the wall, his presence overwhelming.

"Have I been too soft on you, Jessica? Is that why you're getting so bold?"

Soft on her? Had he ever really shown her any kindness?

Jessica didn't bother arguing. It was pointless.

She signed, hands flying: "Herbert's just a friend. He's not involved. You're the one refusing to sign the divorce papers-I have no choice but to go through the courts."

Timothy was holding himself back, but anger still smoldered in his chest.