Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy started forward, ready to greet them.

But Mrs. Zimmerman had already walked up to Henry. “You said your mother is

the housekeeper?”

“And who are you?” Henry asked, having never met Mrs. Zimmerman before.

She’d spent most of the past years living abroad, only returning occasionally—

and never with a chance to meet Timothy’s son.

Jessica quickly stood and slipped her arm through Mrs. Zimmerman’s. “Mom, why

are you up so early? You should have rested longer.”

“I was worried about your grandfather and Daisy,” Mrs. Zimmerman replied. “I just

checked on your grandfather. He’s lucid, can move his arms and legs—just a bit

weak, but he should be fine.”

Henry remembered when Sallie had taken him to the Zimmermans’ estate; that’s

when he’d learned his mother was actually part of this family.

So, the elegant woman in front of him must be Mr. Zimmerman’s mother—his

grandmother.

He looked up shyly. “Grandma.”

The word made Mrs. Zimmerman’s heart tremble for a split second; blood ties

couldn’t be ignored. But then she remembered this boy had called his own mother

the housekeeper. That anger flared up again.

who doesn’t respect his own mother has no right to call me Grandma.

someone so lacking

Zimmermans would never tolerate something like

eyes filled with hurt. He’d already apologized

to reach out

again.

crossed the room, and Henry immediately ran to him, wrapping his

around his father’s leg.

only made Mrs. Zimmerman’s irritation

in and spoke coldly, “Take your son and leave. Don’t

any further.”

I’m sorry,” Timothy said quietly. “If a child acts out,

it out on me.

believed Henry was

realized

he’d learn. If they kept

would

more deeply.

lifted Henry up, gently patting

don’t call me Mom,

Zimmerman Snapped. “I’ve already

about your plans to

from Vince. If

on the father, then

son and

of son calls his

the housekeeper?

how you were raised?”

Zimmerman might get even more upset, Timothy didn’t

tightly,

to be about helping his son make