Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Ines looked at Timothy in surprise. "She came with you?"

Timothy's expression turned a little awkward. Jessica had come by herself. He'd never been much of a liar, so he simply said, "She arrived a day earlier."

"Alright, let me know when you have news." Ines glanced at her watch. "The presentation's about to start. I can't chat much longer—let's leave it here for today."

"Best of luck with the expo, Ines."

"You're too kind."

They left the lounge together. Ines followed an assistant into the exhibition hall, while Timothy stepped outside and lit a cigarette.

He couldn't help but notice how interested Ines seemed in Jessica. Was it because of that graphic novel version of *The Grand Canal, Venice*? The piece incorporated paper-cutting techniques, and Henry had learned those from Jessica. Did Ines want to know more about Jessica's skills?noveldrama

Back when Henry was in kindergarten, there were always arts and crafts lessons. Jessica had only helped him with simple paper cutouts, just playing along with the child. Those basic shapes were nothing compared to the intricate paper-cutting featured in *The Grand Canal, Venice*. The three-dimensional embossing technique in that piece was a heritage craft-something an ordinary person couldn't master with a few afternoons of practice.

Timothy didn't believe Jessica's little crafts with Henry could compare to such refined artistry; it was just playing with a kid, nothing that belonged in an art gallery.

Sheila's version of the piece had used digital techniques to try and replicate that embossed look. It was impressive, but it lacked the authenticity of real paper- cutting, which explained why it fell short. She simply didn't know the craft.

Clearly, Ines's student was someone who truly understood the art of three- dimensional paper-cutting. It was clever, really-blending an old-world technique with modern animation. Not just anyone could pull that off. Mastering such a craft took years of dedication.

Still, Timothy couldn't figure out how this all circled back to Jessica.

No matter. Once he introduced her to Ines, answers would come.

He decided not to go back into the expo. Instead, he texted Sheila:

*Something's come up. I have to step out for a bit. Listen closely to Ines's presentation, and when it's over, let me know. I'll have someone pick you up.*

Sheila saw Timothy's message and guessed he was off to see Jessica. She could stall him for a while, but not forever. Still, delaying him by a day had been enough for her purposes. Jessica must have been upset by now.

Jessica still hadn't accepted her friend request. That said everything-Jessica clearly minded.

Sheila replied:

*It's fine. Go do what you need to do. I'll just catch a cab back when it's over.* Timothy drove back to the hotel and knocked on Jessica's room door. She still wasn't back. He took a seat in the lobby to wait.

He waited. And waited. Before he knew it, it was almost noon.

Jessica still hadn't returned.

He was always the one people waited for-never the other way around. His patience was wearing thin.

Finally, he dialed Jessica's number.

If she still didn't answer, he thought grimly, he'd just buy out the hotel and let himself into her room.

The call had barely connected when he heard a familiar ringtone at the entrance. He looked up.

Jessica had just walked in. She paused, digging through her bag for her phone. Timothy ended the call.

Jessica had only just fished out her phone when the call cut off. The missed call flashed on her screen-Timothy.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes unreadable.

Suddenly, a warm hand closed firmly around her wrist.

She looked up, immediately recognizing the familiar touch, the watch on that hand, the person in front of her.