Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"—"

The words caught in Herbert's throat. He swallowed them back.

Jessica was still married. Whatever he wanted to say, now just wasn't the right time.

"It's been so long since we've seen each other. When are you coming back? I'd love to take you out for dinner, celebrate your movie in advance."

"My mom's been feeling a lot better since she saw me. She came out here to recuperate, but she says once she's back on her feet, she'll head home to Riverside. It shouldn't be much longer."

"Alright. I'll be waiting," Herbert replied, his voice bright and cheerful.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. Really. I don't have anything else—since you just met your biological father, you should spend more time with your family. I'll let you go. Take care."

After hanging up, Jessica felt a tangle of emotions twisting inside her.

She knew how Herbert felt about her.

But...

She still hadn't signed the divorce papers with Timothy.

been married,

incredible guy-he deserved someone better, someone

couldn't bring herself to break the silence either. Maybe, when the time was right, she'd talk to

her thoughts—a

but with Carlisle's film just premiering, maybe it was

moment the call connected, a small, familiar voice

"Mom."

Henry?

shot

call, her hands

the other end, Henry sat frozen, listening to the dead

didn't want

dangling limply. Naylor anxiously leaned

picked up. Then she

were

"How could she be so

then, the doorbell

hurried to open it, and in

"Phelps! Get out here!"