Goodbye, Mr. Regret

When she was little, she was already talented at drawing. In fact, his family still had a chibi-style portrait she'd

sketched of him as a child.

"So, you're really not going to forgive Timothy this time?"

"If | forgave him, would I still deserve to call myself Jessy's brother? | know more about what happened between

the two of them than you do."

If he hadn't gotten involved in Jessica and Timothy's divorce, he would never have learned just how much Jessica

had suffered.

"Timothy really was out of line. Before, when we didn't know the truth, I could just about accept his silence. But

after he found out and still kept quiet? That's inexcusable."

Vince took a few deep breaths, finally managing to calm himself.

"When Jessy was little, after her adoptive mother died, her grandmother raised her. Even when her grandmother

left for work, Jessy managed to scrape by, learning a trade to support herself. She's had her share of hardship—

especially after meeting Ines-but honestly, none of that compares to what she endured during her marriage to

Timothy. From now on, | swear, our family will never let her be mistreated again. And about that childhood

engagement-I'm giving you a heads-up now."

With Vince's words hanging in the air, Yates could sense what was coming: the engagement was about to be

called off.

He'd once been the most eager to break off that engagement, yet now that it was actually happening, he found

himself strangely unsettled.

"A heads-up about what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"| can tell your parents are still hoping she'll marry into the Zimmerman family, but she doesn't see it that way at

all. I'm sure my parents will bring it up with you- and with your folks, too. If you get the chance, talk to them first.

It'd be best if you told them you're against the marriage. That way, it'll be easier for us to end things gracefully.

Can you do that?"

Yates exhaled a slow puff of smoke, the haze curling around him, making his expression unreadable.

After a long pause, he finally said, "She's suffered so much, and my parents adore her. Why not just leave things

as they are? That way, she'd have two more people looking out for her. If she married me, it'd only make Timothy

more miserable— which is exactly what he deserves."

"Don't be ridiculous," Vince said, exasperated. "After everything she's been through, if she ever marries again, I'll

only support her choosing someone she truly loves."

Yates arched an eyebrow. "And who's to say she couldn't fall in love with me?"

Vince almost laughed. "You're kidding, right? When she was little, she always picked Timothy over you. You really

think she'd suddenly change her mind now that you're adults?"

"Childhood choices don't always stick, do they? Besides, yesterday at the Lawsons', | played along perfectly.

Phelps was so mad his face was turning all shades of red. He kept saying it'd look bad for Jessy to marryafter

divorcing Timothy, but honestly, that's just the Lawsons being uptight. No one in our family cares about that kind

of thing."

Yates was never one for old-fashioned views. So what if she was divorced? Character mattered more than

anything.

"I remember all your lectures-how you can't trust someone who says one thing in

public and does another in private. With your worldview, | wouldn't feel comfortable letting her marry you

anyway. But actually, | do have someone in mind."

Yates stubbed out his cigarette. "Who?"

"Herbert Wheeler. The second son of the Wheeler family. They were neighbors as kids and still get along well.

Herbert's been waiting for her all these years, and at least he's always treated her sincerely. Remember when

Timothy tried to use the Wheeler Group to threaten Jessy? You must have seen the news Herbert was disowned

by his family, and he did it all for Jessy."

Yates's face was unreadable. “In the end, it's Jessy's choice. Don't go playing matchmaker here."

"Alright, I'll leave you to your jet lag. I'm heading over there to check on things."

"Mm."

After Vince left, Yates lit another

cigarette: When he finished, he

out his phone and dialed

's number.

Timothy was still lying in his hospital bed. When he saw Yates's non the

caller ID, he picked up.

"Timothy."

Yates's tone was serious.

Timothy answered quietly, "Do you need something?"

"Yeah. We all know about Salnow. How did you manage to make such a

mess of things?”

There was silence on the other end.

Neither of them spoke for a long

engagement." Content be reset

while. Finally, Timothy said

"Do

a favor. Call off the

Yates replied deliberately, "My parents won't agree to that."

"If you want to end it, you'll find a way."

Timothy figured, after so many years of friendship, Yates wouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture.

But then Yates said, "What if | don't want to?"

Timothy was stunned for a moment. "Are you serious?"

"We've known each other nearly thirty years. I'll be honest | don't really want to break it off."

"Are you just trying to pissoff?"

Yates answered slowly, "No need for that. Saladored you as a kid-remember? | even helped her track you

down to give you a piece of her mind. You two were meant to be, but you didn't cherish what you had. Maybe it's

tsomeone else loved her instead."

Timothy's lips pressed into a thin line. "Who told you | don't care about her anymore?"

"The facts speak for themselves."

Timothy gritted his teeth. "Have you fallen for her?"