Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica wasn't anxious anymore.

She felt a vague sense of foreboding-Vince had warned her, and after all, she knew Timothy well enough herself.

Something might change today. Maybe the whole case would take an unexpected turn.

But what kind of twist, she still couldn't say.

The clock struck the hour for the hearing. The judge and jury filed in and took their seats.

After the court formally announced that Jessica was suing Timothy for divorce, Timothy's attorney immediately stood up.

To everyone's surprise, he requested a recess on medical grounds, presenting documents chronicling Timothy's recent car accident and injuries from the day before.

In that moment, Jessica suddenly understood Timothy's game.

Of course he wouldn't let her get away with a simple, clean break.

Vince had seen it coming-the outcome was no surprise. But Timothy's cunning was still astonishing.

He could have filed for recess beforehand, but he waited until court was in session.

First, he wanted to force Jessica to show up in person.

Second, he wanted her to see for herself that he had no intention of letting her go, and that he could block her path in countless ways.

He really was insane. Wasn't he afraid Jessica would call the police on him?

Just then, Jessica's phone buzzed with a message.

It was from an unfamiliar number.

Come outside after the hearing. I'm waiting for you at the courthouse entrance. You want to negotiate a divorce, right? I agree. Today I'll give you the answer you want.

The wording left no doubt-it was from Timothy.

Phelps, watching from across the room, looked apprehensive. The hearing had fallen apart, and he worried Jessica would be furious.

He made up his mind to intercept her before she left.

Sandra and Abell were baffled by Timothy's move. Was he trying to provoke Jessica into calling the cops?

Jessica, however, found she couldn't even get angry anymore.

In the past, her desperation to end the marriage had been driven by her illness- time was running out, and she longed for a few months of peace on her own terms.

Now, even though she was still waiting for a donor match at the hospital, at least she could see a glimmer of hope.

And she still had evidence in her hands. She wasn't desperate anymore, and she had nothing left to fear.

She could call the police if she needed to.

After everything she'd been through, she was done putting everyone else's

feelings ahead of her own.

Timothy could stall this time, but what about next time?

The court would only grant him a delay once.

Today's outcome was the result of her own repeated concessions.

There was no way she'd negotiate with Timothy now.

There was no way she'd ever believe another word he said.

Never again.

He'd shattered whatever good will she once held for him, grinding it to dust.

The medical files Timothy submitted were legitimate. Marquis leaned over and murmured to Jessica, "They really pulled a dirty trick, but it's not a big deal. He isn't seriously ill, so the review won't be delayed for long. If I'm right, the hearing will be rescheduled in a month, tops."

Jessica scribbled beneath the table, "Alright, I understand."

Marquis hadn't expected Jessica to stay so calm.

He knew how much she wanted this divorce; with today's setback, anyone would

have expected her to be shaken.

But she barely reacted.

Jessica knew that anger was pointless.

This was exactly Timothy's style.

Getting angry only punished herself for someone else's wrongdoing.

Besides, with her condition, she had to avoid stress at all costs.

The judge accepted Timothy's request and announced the case would resume in a month.

The moment Timothy's lawyer filed for adjournment, Sheila felt her stomach twist with anxiety.

She thought today would finally be the day Timothy and Jessica parted ways. She hadn't expected this.

Ha.

Timothy really had fallen for Jessica.

Even now, he still refused to let her go.

But Sheila had no intention of getting involved; she knew Timothy too well. He was the jealous type, and if she ever did anything to cross

him, he'd cut her out without a

second thought.

So, Timothy refused to divorce, but Jessica wanted out-Sheila would just wait and watch.

She wasn't the only one feeling the pressure now.

Vince, worried about Jessica's mood, hurried to her side as soon as the hearing ended.

Sallie scowled at how obvious Vince was being about his feelings for Jessica-even though she was still married, Vince made no effort to hide his intentions. fo

"Jessy."

Jessica gave him a soft smile, her eyes telling Vince not to worry.

In truth, Vince felt guilty.

He'd told Timothy to take care of himself, so he wouldn't be too unwell to appearnoveldrama

in court.

Timothy had understood immediately.

Vince knew that if Timothy wanted to drag things out, he would have found a way regardless, but he still felt responsible.

At the time, he thought Timothy might still want to make things work, so he'd wanted to give him another chance.

But after what he'd seen at The Lawson Group the other day, Vince regretted it

all.

"Jessy, I'm sorry."

Jessica typed a message on her

phone and showed it to him: "It's et

alright. This has nothing to do with you. He's always been like this-I'm used to it."

Once outside, Phelps strode over, voice low and tense. "I need a word with you."

But Jessica had nothing left to say.

She walked right past Phelps without slowing.

His temper finally snapped. "Jessica, you're still married to Timothy! What's with

this attitude?"

She was simply treating them the way they'd always treated her.

Couldn't they handle it?

Jessica walked away, head held high.