Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The reason Vince suggested Jessica create a paper-cutting artwork was simple- he wanted Sandra and Abell to see her in a new light.

Jessica couldn't speak, and judging by Sallie's attitude, she was clearly looked down upon. But Jessica had her own brilliance: she'd mastered the long-lost art of bas-relief paper cutting. Her creations were strikingly three-dimensional, so lifelike they left everyone astonished.

Vince wanted her talent to shine. He wanted people to realize that her silence did nothing to diminish her excellence.

On Jessica's side of the room, she was already sketching out her design.

Vince stepped out onto the balcony and called a framing shop to book an appointment for later. After that, he started asking around in his circle, looking for a specialist who could treat selective mutism. If Jessica could speak again, that would be the best outcome.

Meanwhile, Sandra was busy preparing for the evening. When Timothy told her that Jessica had agreed to come for dinner, she immediately set the staff to cleaning up the house and planning the meal, beaming with delight all the while.

She even took out a piece from her own wedding dowry. "Darling, what do you think—can I give this to our future granddaughter-in-law?" she asked her husband.

Sheila saw what Sandra had chosen: a pair of Royal Pearl Cuffs, which matched the Royal Pearl Necklace that had once been part of the same set.

Years ago, Sandra had given the necklace to Hannah, intending to pass the matching bracelets to her as a final gift. But fate intervened-Hannah passed away long before Sandra ever expected, and the bracelets remained in her care. After Sandra adopted Sheila, there was a time when Sheila overheard Sandra and her husband discussing the bracelets, with Sandra suggesting they'd go to Sheila as a wedding present. Back then, Sheila had assumed that, given her relationship with Timothy, anything left of Hannah's would eventually be hers. The entire set would be hers.

Sandra's family had once been nobility, her ancestors including a favored duchess. The Royal Pearl Necklace and Cuffs were bestowed on them by that duchess herself-registered heirlooms crafted with royal skill.

Now Timothy had given the necklace to Jessica, and Sandra was ready to hand over the bracelets as well.

It should have been hers. Now Jessica was taking it all-her inheritance, her Timothy...

A bitter taste filled Sheila's mouth.

Abell spoke up. "Of course you can. It's our first time meeting our granddaughter- in-law-anything less would be inadequate. The bracelets are perfect."

Then he turned to Timothy. "By the way, the necklace your mother left behind is part of this set. When the time comes, make sure Jessy receives the necklace as well. They're best kept together."

Sheila's gaze immediately snapped to Timothy.

When the necklace was damaged last time, Timothy had been visibly upset.

Would he really be willing to give it to Jessica?

"I understand," Timothy replied without hesitation.

He actually agreed.

Sheila bit down hard on her lip.

It felt like, piece by piece, she was losing Timothy's heart.

Three hours later, Jessica finished her artwork-a fabric-based paper-cut, more

durable than the fragile paper versions.

In the center was a vertical

inscription in an elegant, ancient script: "Where goodness flourishes, joy follows." Surrounding the words were intricate designs of plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum-each as vivid as life. śwnovel

Vince was amazed.

She had reat skill in calligraphy!

Before cutting, she'd have had to et sketch out the letters, and withhet

serious training, nobody could produce such beautiful script.

"You know calligraphy?"noveldrama

Jessica typed her reply on her phone: "I love the lines of the old scripts dignified and graceful. studied them for a while, though I'm

not good at others."

"To reach this level with such a difficult script is incredible. You're truly gifted,"

Vince said, admiration shining in his eyes.

He was genuinely happy for her.

Maybe Timothy had never seen this side of her at all.

Vince was no art connoisseur; he knew little about the world of calligraphy. But

even he could tell how extraordinary Jessica's work was.