Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Mr. Smith couldn't understand sign language and had no idea what Jessica was trying to say to Timothy.

All he could gather-from the tense lines of Jessica's face-was that the two of them seemed to be arguing.

Ines sat frozen, shock etched across her features.

Jessica wanted to divorce Timothy.

They... She had always thought their marriage was solid, that their family life was stable and loving.

Now, Jessica seemed to have pushed Timothy to the edge. He stood there, every inch of him radiating a dark, brooding anger. His striking features were set in a harsh, cold mask, lips pressed into a tight line.

Jessica shot him an indifferent glance before turning away, typing something quickly on her phone. She held the screen up for Mr. Smith to read:

"Don't worry about his opinion. Whether he agrees or not, he can't stop me from taking your movie role. I'll leave with you the day after tomorrow."

Jessica hadn't wanted things to get this ugly. After all, they'd been married for years, and there was their son to consider. She had always tried to spare Timothy's pride, to keep things civil between them.

But her patience hadn't brought the peace she'd hoped for. If anything, it had only driven her closer to a breaking point.noveldrama

Even a cornered rabbit will bite.

She had finally figured it out-she wouldn't keep quiet any longer. If things had to get messy, so be it.

She had never betrayed their marriage. Her conscience was clear.

It was Timothy who had been unfaithful, pining after Sheila even after their wedding. He'd nearly crossed the line with Sheila right in front of his own wife. Who knew what else he'd done behind Jessica's back?

If word got out, it would be Timothy whose reputation was in shambles.

The Lawsons always seemed desperate to keep up appearances, yet Timothy himself would parade his feelings for Sheila as if he wanted the whole world to know.

Fine. If he wanted to air their dirty laundry, she'd help him tear up the curtain. Maybe then she could finally get free.

"Jessica."

Timothy's voice was cold as ice.

Jessica didn't bother responding. She had made herself perfectly clear.

She typed another message for Mr. Smith: "Let's exchange contact information."

Jessica entered her phone number.

Timothy strode over and grabbed her phone, his voice low and threatening. "If you want to leave the country, you'll discuss it with me first."

Annoyance flickered across

Jessica's face as she snatched her phone back and set it on the table. Signing rapidly, she told him," already said I won't discuss it with you. Didn't you hear me?"

"Jessy," Ines called gently, apology in her voice. "I never imagined that inviting you to work would cause so much trouble. If my job offer is the reason your family is falling apart, I'm truly sorry."

Building a family wasn't easy. For someone of Ines's generation, with a child involved, divorce was never something to be taken lightly.

No wonder Jessica had always hesitated about coming back to work. Deep down, the real reason must have been that Timothy didn't want her in the spotlight.

Jessica hurried to sign back, "Please, don't say that. This has nothing to do with your offer. The real reason is-"

"Enough!"

Timothy cut her off sharply. Let her misunderstand him and Sheila if she wanted, but he wouldn't have her spreading rumors. Sheila still had a career in the animation industry, and if Ines or Mr. Smith started thinking there was something between them, Sheila's reputation could be ruined.

"I'll say it one more time. Come home with me."

Family matters should stay behind closed doors. They could sort it out in private; there was no need for a public spectacle.

"I'm not going home..."

Timothy clamped down on Jessica's wrist, cutting off her signing and dragging her toward the door.

"Jessy!"

"Tim!"

Ines and Mr. Smith hurried after them.