Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila was the only one at home. When she noticed Sandra's face looked

troubled, she walked over and gently helped her mother to a seat. "Mom, you and Dad went out together in such good spirits. What happened? Why do you both look upset now?"

Sandra sighed. “Sheila, you spent some time in Riverside, didn't you? Do you know what's going on between Timothy and Jessy?"

Sheila hesitated. "It's complicated with the Lawson family. You saw it yourself— Sallie looks down on her because she can't speak, and the rest of the Lawsons..."

Sheila's hint was enough for Sandra to piece things together.

"So the Lawsons still can't accept that she's mute. But Timothy chose to marry her, didn't he? It's not as if the Lawsons expect him to find some wealthy heiress for a marriage of convenience. They finally got married, and instead of supporting the young couple, everyone's interfering. Don't they realize a good wife brings fortune for generations? Haven't they heard that choosing the right partner matters more than anything?"

Abell rubbed his eyes. "I'm getting tired. Honey, can you help me back to the bedroom?"

Sheila jumped up. "Dad, let me help you."

He shook his head. "No, I want your mother to come with me."

been devoted to each other all their lives. Sandra cared deeply for her

the balcony and lowered his voice. "Sheila spent some time in Riverside. Do you think Jessy found out about her

it. That was all over seven years ago. They've both moved on, and everything between them has seemed perfectly

know," Abell muttered. "Phelps called me about it some time ago, told me to keep an eye on Sheila and make sure

want to blame someone else? From what I've seen, Timothy's been keeping his

perceptive," Abell said quietly. "Maybe Jessy noticed 0 something and just couldn't accept it. What if we drag our old bones back to Riverside and see

were seventy-five now-moving around was getting

daughter had

settled, with a family of

was almost thirty and still

them couldn't help but worry about

make the

late. The old couple was already asleep, so they didn't get a