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.

had prepared everything, taking a steadying breath

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

room, his handsome features shadowed

She kept her voice gentle. "You haven't eaten anything tonight. I asked the kitchen to send something up. Please, try to eat before you

not hungry,"

day when food had no

you sit with me for

born the same day

Sheila-an abandoned newborn-on the home from the hospital after their daughter's passing. Timothy's grandmother always believed Sheila was a gift from above, a consolation for her loss. Though the age gap was wide, they told others she was their goddaughter, but in truth, raised

of his mother, his

"All right," he agreed.

decanter of wine