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."

out to take Jessica's

drew her hand

closed on empty air, her

not by Jessica, whose stubbornness

time out there. You're having lunch with me

along, leaving her no room to

that, Jessica found herself forced to sit at the

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

he could, and her constant defiance only fueled his

herself, Of course. He always cares more about what Sheila thinks. The moment

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 to know

was his aunt. But Jessica's attitude left a bad taste in his mouth, and now he didn't feel like