Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stopped Larkin, shaking her head. "Let's just leave it. I don't want to be

tangled up with their family anymore."

The more you try to sort it out, the messier it gets.

But Larkin's jaw tightened. "If I don't confront Phelps about this, I'll never be able

to swallow my anger. Don't worry, Jess. I'll handle this. No matter what, I'll make

sure your divorce from Timothy goes through smoothly."

It was in that moment Jessica realized: having family, for a woman after marriage,

was the greatest source of strength.

Her grandfather had lost his granddaughter for so many years, and now he knew

in advance all the hurt she'd suffered at the Lawsons' hands. There was no way

The'd stand by and do nothing.

Jessica didn't try to stop him again.

Vince put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Come on, I'll show you to your

room. You've had a tough day-just rest here tonight. Let us handle the rest."

"Alright," she agreed quietly.

She was drained, physically and emotionally, from the whole exhausting divorce

ordeal. The idea of rest was a relief.

Jessica followed Vince down the hall to her room.

Stopping at the door, Vince glanced back at her. "Even though you haven't been

home for years, Mom always kept your room ready. After you turned eighteen, she

even had it redecorated."

With that, he pushed the door open.

The room was awash in soft, feminine touches-blush-pink curtains, a crisp white

bed, a neat row of plush toys lined up above the headboard. On the wall hung an

oversized photograph. There was a picture frame on the nightstand too, holding a

photo of her as a little girl.

Jessica stepped inside, her fingers brushing the frame as she picked it up.

Looking at her childhood face, she felt a rush of emotions-grief, comfort, longing

-all at once.

This room didn't feel foreign at all.

Somewhere deep down, it felt like home.

Vince spoke softly from the doorway. "Every year, Mom bought you the latest

clothes for the season. I checked-all the sizes should fit you. Everything you

might need is here. If you can't find something, just ask. Grandpa and I will be

home early tonight. We'll have dinner together."

Jessica nodded.

After Vince left, she walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, it was packed

with brand-new clothes, tags still attached.

The vanity was covered with jewelry and trinkets.

Her eyes stung with tears.

So, she did have a family who loved her.

They hadn't forgotten about her or pretended she didn't exist. Even though she

was missing, she'd always been in their hearts.

The warmth seeped into the cracks of her battered spirit.

She found herself aching to see her mother.

Now that she was a mother herself, she understood at least a little what it

meant to love your child like that.

Jessica fished out her phone and called Vince.

Earlier, Vince had already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr. and Mrs. Bryant know

that Grandpa was waiting for them at the Lawson estate, urging them to get there

as soon as possible.

He and Larkin had decided to split up-one headed to the Lawsons', the other to

the Gilded Whisper Estates.

He'd also called Yates, telling him to meet at the Gilded Whisper Estates.

Vince answered Jessica's call.

"Hey, Jess-"

She hesitated, then said softly, "Big brother."

Vince froze for a second.

They'd only just learned today that they were siblings, but because Jessica had

no memories of her childhood, she'd always called him by his first name.

"You... remembered I'm your brother?"

"Not yet. But I think I should start calling you that anyway. Can you send me your

ID number? I want to book a flight to see Mom."

Their mother was still sick; Jessica couldn't wait any longer. She wanted her mom

to see her as soon as possible-maybe it would help her recovery.

"Send me a photo of your ID," Vince said quickly. "I'll have my secretary buy the

tickets for you. You want to go tonight?"

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

Jessica texted him a picture of her ID. Vince, hoping she'd still have dinner with

him and Grandpa, arranged for his assistant to book a flight for after ten o'clock.

Later, Vince pulled up to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon as he stepped out

of his car, Yates strode over.

"What's this about?" Yates demanded.

Vince's face was grim. "Come inside. You'll find out soon enough."

On his way over, Vince had texted

Timothy, who replied that he was at

home. After getting his injections at

the hospital, he'd returned. It was

only some minor injuries, nothing

that required an overnight stay-just

antibiotics and a week before the

stitches could come out. No point

wasting time stuck in a hospital bed.

Vince's sudden visit could only mean one thing: he wanted to settle accounts.

Timothy knew he'd have to face this sooner or later.

Yates, sensing the tension, frowned. "What's wrong with you today? Are you stillnoveldrama

mad about Timothy's wife?"

That was the only thing Yates could think of that might put Vince in such a mood.

"The divorce papers are signed.

They'll be divorced soon. She won't

be 'Timothy's wife' much longer,"

Vince replied coldly. "Soon enough,

you won't want to call her that at all."

Yates raised his eyebrows. "You're being cryptic."

Vince strode ahead, Yates following with a sense that something big was coming.

Inside, they found Timothy sitting in the living room.

Yates eyed the scratches on Timothy's leg and stepped closer, scrutinizing his

face. "Still limping? Did you fall or something?"

Annoyed, Timothy pushed Yates out of the way. "You're blocking my view."

Vince watched Timothy with a cold, steely gaze.

Timothy picked up a document

folder from the coffee table and

walked over, handing it to Vince.

"This is the property settlement for

my divorce with Jessica. Her share

has already been transferred to her

name-all the details are in here."