Goodbye, Mr. Regret

It was deep winter in Aetherion, the kind of cold that bit through your coat and made Riverside City seem almost mild by comparison.

Timothy and Sallie set out close to noon, under a sky so blue it almost felt like a promise. By the time they reached the Zimmerman family home—after more than ten hours on the road and a jump across time zones-the sun was already sinking. Here, the sky was leaden and gray, the wind howling through the bare trees, carrying the threat of rain. Maybe it was just their mood, but the world itself seemed unwelcoming.

The Howard family home wasn't far from here, and in their rush to leave, neither Timothy nor Sallie had bothered to pack. Sallie wore only a camel wool coat, thin protection against the biting wind as she pulled the collar tighter and reached for the doorbell.

A housekeeper answered the door, spotted Timothy and Sallie, then turned and disappeared back inside.

Vince, having received Sallie's call earlier, had been on edge, worried Timothy might actually show up. He'd told the staff clearly: if anyone from the Lawson family came, don't let them in. Not under any circumstances.

Sallie's anxiety slipped into her voice. "Sage, what are you doing? Open the door!" But Sage ignored her, scampering off down the hallway. She found Vince in the living room. "Miss Lawson and the eldest Mr. Lawson are here."

"I'll deal with it."

Vince didn't want the staff letting them in-once they crossed the threshold, it'd be much harder to get them out.

But he knew Timothy. If Timothy had come all this way, he wouldn't give up that easily.

Right now, the Zimmermans' home was filled with rare warmth. Jessy had only just returned, and their parents, especially their mother, were visibly happier, even healthier. Jessy was showing her mother how to make paper snowflakes, their laughter echoing from the study.

Their father was in the kitchen, cooking dinner himself.

been a long time since the Zimmerman family felt so close, so at peace. Vince was determined not to let

open the door. Sallie pressed the bell insistently, shivering

Finally, Vince appeared.

face cold and hard. "The staff won't open

denied anything. Even when she was at fault, no one dared to be truly

This time, they were the ones in the wrong. She had no choice but

"Vince, we know you don't want to

Vince's gaze was

icy as he looked

"Jessy doesn't need your

care, especially not

She doesn't want

her mood, or ours. Don't expect

wind whipped around them, tossing Timothy's hair, tugging at

suit jacket. Still, he stood straight as

low, almost muffled by the wind. "Let me

veit

and this family. Don't expect forgiveness, not from her, not from me. If you had even a shred of conscience-if