Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sallie shot back, "Aren't you a Lawson too?"

Ignoring the tension, Timothy bent down to pick up the cane and handed it to Phelps, trying to soothe him. "Grandpa, please don't be upset."

Phelps' frown deepened, the lines on his weathered face seeming even more pronounced.

Just then, Jessica eased Timothy's hand away and crouched to gather the scattered bills from the floor.

Sallie's lips curled in disdain. "Timothy, just look at her. Is money really all she cares about?"

There was a hardened, complicated look in Timothy's eyes. He had stepped in to defend her, but she didn't seem to care at all.

Phelps gave a cold snort. "Timothy, do you see her attitude? Are we really worth less to her than a pile of cash?"

Timothy had convinced himself that after all the compromises he'd made for her, she'd at least try to settle in for a month-let things return to normal, give the family some peace.

Clearly, he'd been fooling himself. Jessica seemed completely indifferent to his good intentions, determined to keep the household in turmoil.

At that moment, Henry came downstairs, drawn by the commotion at the door. Jessica had already scooped up the last bill and tucked the money away in a box. "Great-Grandpa, Aunt Sallie, you're here! Come in, don't just stand in the hallway." Jessica picked up the box and headed toward the door.

"Mom."

"Grandpa and Aunt Sallie are here-aren't you going to make breakfast? I want your chicken noodle soup. I haven't had it in so long. Can you make extra today? Miss Sheila wants to try

left in

ache rising in her chest. She looked away quickly and walked out, ignoring the entire Lawson family

turned her back

didn't even

frowned at Timothy. "Timothy, are you just going to let her treat everyone like this? I don't expect her to cook for me, but what about Henry? Didn't you hear him

a good influence, and Sallie bit off the rest of her complaint, not wanting

away, feeling worse with every step she took. He'd promised Sheila he'd ask his

frustrated he could

"Timothy, why are you giving Jessica

money, not from me. Come in, everyone.

to the living room, where Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop making excuses

even speak. Where'd she get that kind

"Do you call

is mute. I'm just stating a