Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince hauled Timothy to his feet and, furious, landed a punch squarely on his jaw. The veins on Vince's forehead bulged with anger.

Yates was right.

As long as Jessica stayed single, Timothy would never let her go.

The Zimmermans could forget about having peace.

Jessica lay motionless, refusing to give Timothy any reaction at all.

"Outside. Now." Vince's voice was low and icy, every word edged with warning.

Timothy glanced back at Jessica, but she kept her eyes closed, shutting him out completely. She didn't want to think about him anymore. Her heart wasn't just cold -it felt frozen.

Outside, dawn was just beginning to pale the sky.

Vince and Timothy stood facing each other in the early morning light.

"Are you planning to make my family's life hell forever?" Vince demanded.

"There's been a misunderstanding between me and Jessica," Timothy argued, desperate. "Things aren't what you think."

He was still trying, still clinging to the hope that he could save their marriage.

"No matter what misunderstandings there are, they don't erase what you've done! Why can't you just let her go? All this hounding-don't you realize how pathetic you look?"

Timothy's expression tightened. "It's not easy to build a family. We've had so many misunderstandings, and letting them ruin everything isn't right. I know how much a real family means-I'm trying to fix this. Is that so wrong?"

"Yes, it is!" Vince shot back. "You're too late, Timothy! Seven years, and only now you want to fix things? People can't just keep waiting for you to get your act together. Her heart's gone cold-what took you so long?"

Vince's anger flared. "Leave. I don't want to see you again. Don't make me force you."

His little sister wasn't the type to scream or make scenes; it was Timothy's relentless pestering that kept hurting Jessica over and over.

Timothy didn't argue anymore. He stepped past Vince and walked away.

He still believed Jessica's heart held a place for him. Sooner or later, the truth would come out and clear up the misunderstandings.

Back inside, Vince found Jessica asleep. Her lashes were still damp, and faint streaks of dried tears marked her cheeks.

Vince's heart ached for her.

He could tell she still cared about Timothy. If she didn't, she wouldn't have run from their marriage with so much pain.

Most people only leave when the pain becomes unbearable.

Vince took a deep breath and went over to Daisy's bed. He gently felt her forehead-her fever seemed to have eased. He removed the cool

towel. ecool

Kids always seemed to run fevers at night, but by morning, things usually improved.

Vince didn't want to disturb anyone further. He quietly left the room.

Timothy didn't go home. Instead, he drove to The Grand Celestia.

He'd booked the ballroom at that

hotel for their wedding. Everything was ready, decorated just the way

Jessica liked-warm, romantic, every detail chosen for her.

But it was too late now.

Dawn had broken. It was the third of the month-Jessica would never show up for their wedding.

That was fine.

He didn't want to force her anymore.

He left the hotel, went home, and gathered up the wedding invitations. Then he

asked a few staff to send out birthday invitations for Henry.

His son's birthday celebration would go on.

Jessica had always organized Henry's parties at home, but this year, Timothy would host it somewhere else.

After a shower and a fresh shave, Timothy changed into clean clothes.noveldrama

He didn't bother sleepingothes.

just

headed straight for the Lawson Mansion.

By then, his family was already having breakfast.

But Henry wasn't there.

Naylor stood up and greeted him. "Timothy, you're back! Have you eaten? Come

join us for breakfast."