Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica let go of Vince and sent him the attending physician's phone number.

"Try to get some sleep tonight, okay? Don't stay up too late."

"I won't."

With a heavy heart, Vince left Jessica's room and walked to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. He couldn't let his parents see anything was wrong. When he came out, he heard voices from the sitting room. He made his way over.

His parents were in the middle of a conversation with Yates about the old engagement between the two families.

Mrs. Zimmerman was saying, “Yates, I know your parents are good people. They'd never judge Salome for having been married or for having a child. But honestly, we feel guilty making your family wait all these years. And, more importantly, you and Timothy grew up together as friends. I think it's best if we call off this arrangement. When we were younger-your uncle, your parents, and us- it just seemed natural to agree to this, since our families were so close. But marriage can't be arranged like that. It has to be about love and mutual respect."

Jessica had only just come back home. After losing their daughter for so many years—and suspecting she'd suffered through her marriage to Timothy-the Zimmermans weren't ready to let her go again. If she married someday, they'd rather she found someone who'd be willing to move in with their family, so they could keep her close and safe.

Of course, the Bryants only had one son, Yates, so there was no way he'd ever become a live-in son-in-law.

Besides, Jessica didn't seem to have any special feelings for Yates now-not like when they were kids. So Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman wanted to settle this matter once and for all.

They'd been considering breaking off the engagement for a while, but the Bryants had always hesitated, insisting on preserving the friendship between the two families.

Zachary added, "Yates, I'm really sorry. The fault is on our side. I'll call your father personally to explain everything later. I hope you understand how we feel.

Honestly, we just can't bear the thought of Salome leaving us again."

Yates wasn't about to argue with Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman over this. He said instead, "If you're so reluctant to see Salome get married, does that mean you don't want her to marry at all?"

Mrs. Zimmerman laughed. "No, of course not. If she meets the right person we'd honestly prefer a son-in-law who'd be happy to join our household. It would just give us more peace of mind."

Thinking of everything Jessica had been through, Vince spoke up, "Mom, I agree. Having a son-in-law here at home would make us all feel better about Jessy's future. I support you and Dad."noveldrama

Vince hadn't forgotten that Yates had tried to trip him up earlier that day, or how he'd defended Timothy. He couldn't accept the idea of Jessy being with someone like that.

Yates turned to Mr. and Mrs.

Zimmerman. "Uncle, Aunt, my parents sent me here with Vince and Jessy to discuss this engagement. Since we're talking about marriage and moving in, why don't I call them right now and let you speak to them directly?"

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. "That's a good idea."

Yates pulled out his phone, dialed his mother, and put her on speaker.

"Mom, I'm here with Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman. We're talking about the engagement between me and Salome. They'd like to speak with you."

"Oh, wonderful! It's been ages since I last talked to your Aunt Zimmerman!"

Mrs. Bryant's cheerful voice rang out from the phone.

Mrs. Zimmerman quickly greeted her, "Mrs. Bryant, it's been so long!"

"My goodness, you sound so much stronger since Salome came home! Are you feeling better?"

"I really am, thank you. And thank you for thinking of us, for sending Yates to visit. We've known each other so many years, so I'll just get right to the point."