Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica caught the meaning behind Latonia's words right away.

It wasn't that the Wheeler Group couldn't stand their ground against the Lawsons -it just hadn't come to that point yet.

To Latonia and Herbert, Jessica was nothing more than a former neighbor. They might offer her a small favor out of courtesy, but anything beyond that was unlikely.

She simply wasn't important enough to them.

And a relationship so shallow shouldn't be burdened by her troubles.

After finishing her conversation with Latonia, Jessica left the hotel.

Latonia had chosen not to meet her at the Wheeler estate this time.

Jessica had long grown used to the ebb and flow of people's kindness. Compared to others, Latonia had already shown her more respect, even taking care not to hurt her feelings.

Jessica wasn't sure if she should feel grateful or just quietly disappointed.

After all, this whole mess had started because of her-she couldn't just wash her hands of it. But she also didn't want to cause Herbert unnecessary trouble.

It looked like going back home was off the table.

Jessica hailed a cab and asked the driver to take her to the amusement park.

She wandered without a plan, letting her thoughts drift.

All around her, laughter rang out-on the merry-go-round, at the ring toss, near

the concession stands. Couples walked hand in hand. Parents pushed strollers or chased after their giggling children.

Somehow, she found herself near the Ferris wheel.

She'd heard somewhere that if a couple kissed beneath the Ferris wheel, their love would last forever.

The park was huge. The odds of running into Timothy seemed slim.

Jessica glanced down, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out her phone. She dialed Timothy's number.

Just as she looked up, she spotted Timothy and Sheila, holding Henry's hands between them.

Timothy's back was to her, and Sheila was up on tiptoe, pressing her face close to his.

They were kissing.

Jessica's breath caught, her eyebrows knitting together as her hand went slack. Her phone slipped from her fingers and tumbled to the ground.noveldrama

A moment later, Sheila dropped back onto her heels and plucked a tiny green leaf from Timothy's hair. "Look, Timothy, you've got a leaf stuck on your head."

Right then, Timothy's phone rang.

Jessica's name flashed across the screen.

He stared at it, his gaze cold and proud.

Sheila noticed and said, "Is that Jessica? Maybe she's here too. You should answer and let her know we're by the Ferris wheel. Henry told me today that he's never been to the amusement park with his mom before."

Sheila had already spotted Jessica in the crowd.

Timothy thought of Jessica's stubborn streak, her reckless courage, and simply declined the call.

Let her struggle on her own for a few more days—maybe then she'd realize just how enviable her life was as his wife.

"Timothy, you—" Sheila started, but Henry tugged on her skirt.

"Miss Sheila, can we go on the pirate ship ride? Will you come with me?"

Henry didn't want Jessica to come over. He was perfectly happy right now with Sheila and his dad.

Just a little while ago, he'd bumped into some of his classmates from school.

He absolutely couldn't let them find out his mom was mute.

His dad had already made him copy out "A Mother's Love" a hundred times as punishment for talking disrespectfully about her.

Miss Sheila was much nicer-she always reminded him not to talk that way in front of his dad.

So, he'd learned to change the subject.

Sheila ruffled Henry's hair. "The pirate ship goes so high. I'm a little scared-I've never dared to ride it. How about we ask your dad to come with us?"

Henry turned hopeful eyes to Timothy.

Since Henry had dutifully copied out his lines yesterday, Timothy planned to spend the day with him.

The three of them headed off together, Timothy and Sheila holding Henry's hands

as they walked toward the pirate ship near the Ferris wheel.

Sheila glanced back, her eyes brimming with challenge as she caught Jessica's gaze. She raised a hand and flashed a triumphant little wave.