Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She signed, "You two go ahead and eat. I'm not hungry-I've got some things to take care of in my room."

She had no intention of making herself uncomfortable by joining them for a meal. The last thing she wanted was to sit there and watch them act so close.

Timothy's handsome features darkened in an instant.

Sheila, ever cautious, asked, "Jessica, did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me? You won't even eat with us..."

Before Jessica could answer, Timothy cut in. "You did nothing wrong. You've been helping take care of Henry this whole time. If anything, it's her—"

He shot Jessica a look, his voice low and cold. "You meet my family and can't even muster a little courtesy."

All he wanted was a simple meal together, but she just had to make a scene. It made him feel as if all his efforts for her until now had been pointless, just wasted.

"Timothy, that's not fair," Sheila interjected. "After all, you never even took her to visit your grandfather's house after you got married. I had to say I was your aunt, but we're the same age-no wonder she found it hard to believe. Most people wouldn't. You can't put all the blame on Jessica."

spoke, Sheila stepped over, reaching out to take Jessica's hand, trying to close

Jessica drew her

empty

to see Sheila treated so coldly-especially not by Jessica, whose stubbornness was

out there. You're

along, leaving her no room to refuse. Sheila fell in

herself forced to sit at the

"Couldn't you at

her constant defiance only fueled

what Sheila thinks. The

as she looked at Jessica. "Jessica, I tried to speak up for you. Don't take Timothy's attitude to heart. Men can be so difficult sometimes. I only just learned that Timothy never told you about his mother or her side of the family.

interrupted, "there's no need for her

this lunch to explain to Jessica that Sheila really was his aunt. But Jessica's attitude left a bad taste in his mouth, and now