Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sallie would rather see Timothy end up with Jessica—the mute-than let him have anything to do with Sheila ever again.

As for the man she'd just mentioned, Sallie had only brought him up out of spite, venting her frustration. Deep down, she still believed in her brother. Jessica wasn't stupid; with a man as remarkable as her brother, why would she bother getting tangled up with someone else? Especially after all these years-Sallie had seen for herself how much Jessica loved Timothy.

Jessica lowered her beautiful eyes.

If she hadn't found out that Sheila was Timothy's aunt, maybe she could have felt a little happy about all this. But now, the truth was clear: Sallie and Phelps only wanted to keep Timothy from rekindling his old flame with Sheila. And Jessica? She was nothing more than a tool to block that reunion.

If anyone ever found out about such an illicit relationship, it would stain Timothy's entire life. How could she possibly be happy? She felt numb-utterly empty.

Even after Sallie finished her tirade, Jessica didn't react.

Growing impatient, Sallie leaned forward, her voice sharp. "What's wrong with you? Didn't you hear what I just said? Your husband and son are about to be snatched away, and you don't care?"

It was infuriating.

of frustration, like she was watching someone squander their

out on

screen.

moment, Sallie

her, "If someone wants Timothy, let them have him." Sallie had

same.

don't care about Timothy at all?" Sallie demanded, refusing to believe

the screen: "I

attention. Instead of wasting time on games,

telling you this because you've been decent to me before. But if you keep going like this, you'll be the one

Sallie's impatience meant every conversation was an ordeal. With those parting words,