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."

Sheila stepped over, reaching out to take Jessica's hand, trying to close the distance between

Jessica drew her hand

closed on empty air, her

coldly-especially not

time out there. You're having lunch with me today.

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

found herself forced to sit

a reproachful look. "Couldn't you at least be a little

already been as gentle as he could, and her constant defiance only fueled his frustration.

about what Sheila thinks. The moment Sheila says something, he reins in his temper,

Men can be so difficult

for

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 he didn't feel like saying