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.

his own mother has no right to call me

lacking in

Zimmermans would never tolerate something

filled with hurt. He’d already apologized to

to reach

again.

room, and Henry immediately ran

around his father’s leg.

only made Mrs.

it in and spoke coldly, “Take your son and

any further.”

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

angry, take it out on me. I’ll accept whatever

believed Henry was

had realized his

learn. If

would only wound

more deeply.

Henry up, gently patting his back to calm

call me Mom, either,”

Zimmerman Snapped. “I’ve already

your plans to

from Vince. If you

the father, then

and teach him

son calls

the housekeeper?

how you were raised?”

Zimmerman might get even more

turned, holding Henry tightly, and headed for

to be about helping his son