Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Why do you keep pressing about this?"

Vince's irritation was palpable. "Is it because you realize you couldn't keep it hidden and now you want to dig for answers? How do you even have the nerve?"

He still wasn't satisfied, and pressed on, "Did you really think you could keep this a secret? She knows what she looked like as a kid, doesn't she? Even if you manage to hide it for a while, she'll find out sooner or later. So tell me when did you find out?"

"You still haven't answered my question."

Timothy's expression remained unreadable, calm as ever.

"You're always like this. If I don't talk, you won't either, is that it?”

"That's right."

Vince was so angry it made his chest ache.

"Fine, I'll spell it out. It's just—she looks alike. There are plenty of shows about kids separated from their families, lost and found. Jessy does paper-cutting, my grandfather loves paper-cutting, and then she's taken Daisy as her goddaughter. She's got this strange connection to our family."

Timothy wasn't feeling well; his body was weak and his mind wasn't as sharp as usual.

A server brought over their coffees. Timothy took his cup and sipped.

Yates noticed a deep indentation on the first knuckle of Timothy's right index finger, a trace of blood seeping out.

Yates pressed his lips together. Just how tightly had Timothy been clenching his fist?

several mouthfuls of coffee in a

points, on the face

all, Vince's social media was public. Sheila could see everything, and Yates had even commented on a

you strung all three things together, something felt

had only said Daisy reminded her of Jessica's warmth, Vince

never have suspected anything.

there were

looking for is right under your

a special connection

must have been what planted the doubt

phone call. At that point, even without a paternity test, Vince could be sure that Jessica

don't you think Sheila was hinting at something

hospital and check on Timothy, they'd chatted a bit, but everything seemed

about it, those seemingly casual comments were exactly what had made him suspicious. Frowning, he wondered aloud, "Could she

out? Did you let Sheila in

day at the hospital, when he'd gotten the DNA results, he'd bumped

words, then Sheila had gone off to find her friends. Was there something

something to take care

you found out. And when I went to Jessy's place to ask for

ignored Vince's question

you again. You told him exactly what

just cutting him some slack because he's younger-I thought you knew how

were saying, I'd bet Sheila knew exactly what she was doing. She deliberately dropped hints for you that day-she's

paused, then said, "Timothy rushed off-do you think he's