Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 391

She had found her voice again, though it was still soft and uncertain.

Jessica remembered what it felt like to speak—she used to talk all the time. But now, her vocal cords felt clumsy, her words shaky and imprecise.

Herbert patiently guided her. At first, he read aloud and had her repeat after him, keeping the pace slow and deliberate. Gradually, he encouraged her to keep up with his natural rhythm, reciting together.

After a few rounds, Jessica could feel a hint of progress—her words were just a little clearer, her throat just a little stronger.

She’d never seen Herbert work like this before—so focused, so meticulous. It struck her that he was really, truly exceptional.

After about twenty minutes, Herbert stopped. He handed her a small bottle of throat spray.

“Here, spray this.”

This was a soothing formula he’d made just for her, designed to protect her recovering vocal cords. After each practice session, it eased the discomfort and helped begin the healing process.

Jessica tried it, feeling a cool, refreshing sensation in her throat—relief spreading almost instantly.

She set the bottle down and signed, “What kind of medicine is this?”

“I made it myself,” Herbert replied with a smile. “Just use it as needed.”

Jessica had so many questions, but their exercises had kept her too busy to ask until now.

She signed again, “Didn’t you say a friend of yours spent seven years developing the treatment for aphasia? But you seem so familiar with the whole process—and you even performed the surgery yourself.”

Herbert smiled, a little sheepish. “Well, I was working at Aetherion too, remember? My friend was leading the research, but I helped out with the experiments all the time. I know the treatment inside and out. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared operate on you myself. You wanted your voice back so badly—I couldn’t risk your safety. If I couldn’t do it, I would’ve called my friend here to help you.”

So that was the truth.

Jessica continued signing, “Oh, right. I don’t think I ever paid you for the treatment.”

Herbert laughed. “This is my hospital. Why would I charge you?”

“But I can’t just take all your help for nothing.”

But men’s gifts always seemed to come down to the same few choices—tie pins, razors, shirts.

Jessica stood there, uncertain what to pick.

She ended up asking the sales associate for advice, typing her question into her phone: “What kind of gift is appropriate for a male friend? Someone you’re not romantically involved with.”

The saleswoman smiled. “Anything is fine. It’s the relationship that matters, not the gift.”

That set Jessica’s mind at ease.

She’d already noticed a pair of pale gold cufflinks—simple, elegant, and exactly Herbert’s style.

She asked to see them up close, turning them over in her hands, when suddenly she heard Sallie’s voice behind her.

“So, planning to make up with Timothy? Buying him cufflinks?”