Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra quickly jumped to her feet, grabbing Abell's arm with excitement. "This must be it—they're really here! Sallie, Sheila, come with me to greet them."

This called for a bit of ceremony.

Normally, based on her usual attitude, Sallie wouldn't bother welcoming Jessica at all. But today, she was determined to go-if only to make sure Sheila understood that Timothy was a married man, and that she'd better give up any hope she was harboring.

The gates to the estate swung open.

Vince appeared, carrying a beautifully framed picture, with Jessica standing quietly at his side.

Timothy lingered at the back of the group, watching Jessica from a distance.

There was a gentle serenity about her, a quiet grace that seemed to soften the very air around her.

The moment Sandra and Abell laid eyes on Jessica, they were more than pleased.

So what if she didn't speak? She was beautiful, gentle, and composed-just the kind of woman who suited Timothy. Someone too loud or high-spirited would have felt out of place beside him.

with a broad, welcoming smile. "Vince, this

Vince nodded.

hand warmly. "I'm Timothy's grandmother. Come

obvious delight made Sheila bristle with discomfort. It felt as though something that should have been hers was being taken away, and she could do nothing about

spared Timothy a glance. She had only just taken her seat when Sandra produced a pearl bracelet from a velvet box. "Jessy, here's a little something to welcome

divorced, she hadn't wanted to accept Sandra's

evening would

two elders seemed genuinely happy and treated her with warmth, maybe the

was their first time meeting her. Jessica wasn't the type

years, Jessica had met all kinds of

fastened the pearl bracelet around Jessica's wrist, beaming. "It looks beautiful on you,

the framed picture. "Abell, Sandra, this is a gift from

the protective cloth, revealing a delicate and

a moment, Timothy's eyes brightened with a rare