Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Afterward, Henry sent Sheila a message.

[Miss Sheila, I'm sorry. I couldn't get my mom to stay. She came home, but left again.]

By now, dinner was winding down. Even if Jessica rushed over at this point, it would be too late.

[Henry, oh... don't blame yourself. It's my fault. If I hadn't stayed at your house so long, your mom wouldn't keep staying away.]

Reading her message, Henry grew anxious and quickly typed back.

[Miss Sheila, does this mean you won't come see me anymore?]

[Of course not! I just think it's a little inconvenient going over to your place. But if you want to see me, how about I pick you up after school tomorrow and you come to my place instead? Would that be alright?]

Henry's reply was instant and thrilled.

[Absolutely! I'd love that.]

Everyone understood that Mr. Smith needed to adjust to the time difference, so the dinner didn't last much longer.

As things wrapped up, Timothy prepared to drive Mr. Smith to his hotel, but Vince stood up first. "Timothy, you've got a family waiting at home. Go on, I'll take Mr. Smith to his hotel."

Jessica's plans were still uncertain-if she didn't come home tonight, Henry would be alone, aside from the housekeeper. It wasn't quite the same as having Jessica there, and Timothy knew he'd feel better if she were.

He let Vince take over without protest. After Vince and Mr. Smith left, Ines also made her way out.

Yates Bryant and Kane were

giving Sheila a ride

to discuss business-Mr. Smith had just landed, and

good night's rest, and Timothy wasn't likely to contact him again

a

and Mr. Smith seemed noticeably

wouldn't be easy to arrange another meeting with

no intention of pushing Timothy any further and risk upsetting him, so she agreed to let

stepped out

they nearly collided with Jessica, who'd hurried

curled into the faintest

besides, she'd stolen the man

any

on the other

you doing here at

a hurry. Are you here

the first to speak to Jessica, but

Sheila, then

them, together

all made sense. She hadn't been