Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Although Jessica had left the Gilded Whisper Estates, her business there wasn't truly finished. That's why she didn't reach out to Herbert, but instead returned to her own small apartment.

Back in her own space, she felt herself relax, the heavy tension of the Estates finally falling away.

Today happened to be Timothy's birthday.

No wonder he never celebrated it. Now she understood-the day also marked the anniversary of his mother's death.

She remembered a time when she'd tried to throw him a birthday party. He'd gotten angry, and she'd been hurt by his reaction. Knowing now that he had his reasons, she found herself strangely numb. The answer had come too late.

If she'd known earlier, maybe her hurt would have faded, replaced by sympathy or even guilt. She might have sought him out to apologize, to offer comfort. But everything, she realized, seemed orchestrated by fate.

She and Timothy were simply from different worlds. They never should have crossed paths in the first place.

Tonight, she suspected neither Sheila nor the Lawsons would be able to sit still. Let them wrestle with each other; only then could she slip away quietly tomorrow.

taking a steadying

last tie to the marriage. Sheila had been careful not to show too much in front of Jessica-always wary that Jessica might tell Timothy something. But now, there was nothing left to fear. Jessica herself was letting go. If Sheila tried

emerged from his room, his handsome features shadowed and

her voice gentle. "You haven't eaten anything tonight. I asked the

hungry,"

the sort of day when food had no

birthday-not once. Would you sit with me for a birthday dinner? There's no cake, no celebration. Just a meal. Would that be all

born the same day

the hospital after their daughter's passing. Timothy's grandmother always believed Sheila was a gift

things laid out so plainly, Timothy couldn't refuse. Because of his mother, his grandparents had never celebrated Sheila's birthday on this day, despite their love

"All right," he agreed.

the table, a decanter of wine waited,