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

so lacking in

never tolerate

already apologized

reach out to his grandmother

again.

the room, and Henry immediately ran to him, wrapping

around his father’s leg.

Timothy only made

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

any further.”

“If a child

out on me.

believed Henry was

had realized

learn. If they

would

more deeply.

lifted Henry up, gently patting his back

call me Mom, either,”

Zimmerman Snapped. “I’ve already

your plans

Vince. If

on the

and

son calls

housekeeper? Is

how you were raised?”

get even more

tightly, and headed

be about helping his son make