Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Outside, autumn rain drifted down in gentle sheets.

The raindrops drummed against the window, composing a soft, beautiful symphony.

Inside, the atmosphere grew warm and intimate.

Though Timothy hadn't crossed any lines with Sheila, her mind was already

spinning with anticipation.

Being this close to him, feeling the heat radiate from his body, his skin pressed to hers-it set her heart aflame.

His masculine scent enveloped her completely.

Timothy pressed his forehead to Sheila's with almost unbearable tenderness, his voice a low murmur. "Jessy..."

Sheila's anger flared. So, Jessica really was all he cared about.

"Be good from now on, alright? No more fussing," he whispered, loosening his tie, revealing the sharp line of his throat.

Sheila knew perfectly well that Timothy's heart belonged to Jessica.

She'd even started using the same shampoo and perfume as Jessica, hoping he wouldn't notice any difference when she was near, saying nothing at all when she entered the room.

But knowing he spoiled Jessica so much, even his voice turning soft and seductive just for her, made Sheila burn with jealousy.

It only made Sheila more determined not to let this chance slip away.

Timothy noticed Sheila wasn't resisting him for once, and the dark mood that had been haunting him these days began to ease.

Usually, she pushed him away.

The first time, she'd bitten her own tongue bloody rather than give in.

He'd never liked forcing her-not until Jessica started provoking him every day.

Tonight, Sheila didn't fight him off. That, in itself, was enough to please him.

He cupped her face in his hands, his thumb stroking her cheek.

"Jessy, stay with me tonight, will you?"

His lips hovered just above hers, about to claim her—

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Sallie barged in.

She stopped dead at the sight of Timothy pinning Sheila beneath him.

Eyes wide, she froze for a heartbeat, then stormed over. "Timothy!"

Furious, Sallie grabbed Timothy by the collar and hauled him upright, slapping him hard across the face. "Have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you're doing?"

Terrified, Sheila clung to Timothy's arm, shrinking behind him for protection.

The sting of Sallie's slap snapped Timothy out of his daze. He glanced up, saw Sallie, and scowled in irritation.

Unbelievable. Lately, every time he got close to Jessy, someone or something always interrupted.noveldrama

Timothy's eyes clouded with frustration. Being caught like this by Sallie

frustauld mortify Jessica. He

pulled the girl behind his arm closer, glaring. "What are you doing here?"

But Sallie yanked Sheila away from Timothy's grasp and shoved her to the floor.

Sheila cried out in pain.

Timothy turned at the sound.

Wait. That wasn't Jessy...

Jessy couldn't speak.

He shook his head, rubbing his temple, and looked again. Only then did he realize

it was Sheila.

His eyes darkened.

Sallie shot Sheila a venomous glare, then spun on Timothy. "I came to air out Mom's room, then the rain started, so I rushed back to shut the window. If I hadn't walked in, would you really have gone through with it with her, of all people? Ugh!"

Sallie stamped her foot, furious but unable to truly curse her own brother. She whirled on Sheila and slapped her, once on each cheek-left, then right.

Two sharp cracks echoed through the room. Sheila's face went red and swollen, her hair tangled messily across her cheeks, humiliation written all over her.

"Have you no shame? Seducing Timothy today, of all days! Look at you-dressed like that, acting like a tramp. Should I take a picture and send it to Grandpa, let him see what kind of foster daughter he's raised for over twenty years?"

Just a foster daughter, after all. Sallie, the proud eldest Lawson daughter, deigned

to acknowledge Sheila's presence-if only because, technically, Sheila counted as her aunt.