Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"My own son-I'll discipline him however I see fit. And as his aunt, what gives you the right to interfere in how I raise him?"

Jessica typed the words without a hint of courtesy.

Sallie was so furious, she nearly choked on her own breath.

"Jessica, have you lost your mind? How dare you speak to me like that? Henry is my nephew of course I have every right to step in if you lay a hand on him! Get out of my house this instant!"

Sallie jabbed her finger toward the door.

"You're the one telling me to leave, remember?"

Jessica's reply was swift.

"That's right—I am telling you to get out! Grandpa already gave you a chance, but you didn't care enough to try. You can't even handle Henry, let alone Timothy's feelings, and all you ever do is threaten divorce. Grandpa said if you want to leave, then leave. Better that way-so Henry won't have to grow up embarrassed by a mute mother. If it weren't for your silence, do you think Henry would be clinging to Sheila instead?"

Jessica had nothing left to worry about.

Since the Lawson family had finally decided to let her divorce Timothy, she couldn't be more eager. She didn't even bother packing her bags-she just walked straight out of The Gilded Whisper Estates.

With Jessica gone, Sallie was practically beaming as she hurried to share the good news with Henry.

"Henry, darling, your aunt took care of that nasty business for you. Don't be upset anymore, okay?"

Henry asked offhand, "Auntie, how exactly did you 'take care of it'?"

"I kicked her out!"

Henry's eyelids fluttered. "Dad brought her home. If you kick her out, Dad will just bring her back. Besides, he's still planning to marry her."

Henry tugged Sheila into the living room and handed Sallie the wedding plans Secretary Allen's assistant had just delivered.

Sallie frowned. What on earth was Timothy thinking?

Was he really planning to make Jessica official, out in the open?

If Timothy returned and found Jessica missing, wouldn't he come after her for it?

No way.

She had no intention of picking a fight with her own brother.

Sallie quickly called Phelps Lawson and explained Timothy's intention to hold a proper wedding for Jessica.

Back when Timothy first proposed

to Jessica, the entire family had opposed the match-until Phelps made the final call. But he'd insisted on on condition: the marriage should be kept quiet. No need for the world to know Timothy had married a mute; no sense dragging the Lawson family name through the mud.

Timothy had agreed, which was the only reason the marriage ever went through.

He'd already broken that promise

once, introducing Jessica

publicly-though, thankfully, only among close friends of the Lawsons and Zimmermans, so the fallout was minimal. But now, it seemed Timothy wanted to go all-in and acknowledge Jessica to the world. The Lawson family would never allow that.

Timothy visited the cemetery. Fresh flowers and small tokens were already arranged, proof that Sallie had been there earlier.

After paying his respects, Timothy headed to Moonstrand Villas.

His mother's room was filled with her old belongings. Fresh chrysanthemums and

her favorite orchids sat in a vase by the window.noveldrama

This was always Sallie's job.

Timothy didn't let Sheila join him inside; he told her he wanted some time alone with his mother.

Sheila hadn't planned on going in anyway.

After all, this was one of the rare moments she had Timothy to herself; she intended to make the most of it.

That evening, Timothy barely

touched his own dinner, too busy

serving Jessica from every dish.

Sheila, feeling neglected, ordered

takeout and uncorked a bottle of red

wine to console herself.