Goodbye, Mr. Regret

When she was little, she was already talented at drawing. In fact, his family still had a chibi-style portrait she'd sketched of him as a child.

"So, you're really not going to forgive Timothy this time?"

"If I forgave him, would I still deserve to call myself Jessy's brother? I know more about what happened between the two of them than you do."

If he hadn't gotten involved in Jessica and Timothy's divorce, he would never have learned just how much Jessica had suffered.

"Timothy really was out of line. Before, when we didn't know the truth, I could just about accept his silence. But after he found out and still kept quiet? That's inexcusable."

Vince took a few deep breaths, finally managing to calm himself.

"When Jessy was little, after her adoptive mother died, her grandmother raised her. Even when her grandmother left for work, Jessy managed to scrape by, learning a trade to support herself. She's had her share of hardship—especially after meeting Ines-but honestly, none of that compares to what she endured during her marriage to Timothy. From now on, I swear, our family will never let her be mistreated again. And about that childhood engagement-I'm giving you a heads-up now."

With Vince's words hanging in the air, Yates could sense what was coming: the engagement was about to be called off.

He'd once been the most eager to break off that engagement, yet now that it was actually happening, he found himself strangely unsettled.

"A heads-up about what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"I can tell your parents are still hoping she'll marry into the Zimmerman family, but she doesn't see it that way at all. I'm sure my parents will bring it up with you- and with your folks, too. If you get the chance, talk to them first. It'd be best if you told them you're against the marriage. That way, it'll be easier for us to end things gracefully. Can you do that?"

Yates exhaled a slow puff of smoke, the haze curling around him, making his expression unreadable.

After a long pause, he finally said, "She's suffered so much, and my parents adore her. Why not just leave things as they are? That way, she'd have two more people looking out for her. If she married me, it'd only make Timothy more miserable— which is exactly what he deserves."

"Don't be ridiculous," Vince said, exasperated. "After everything she's been through, if she ever marries again, I'll only support her choosing someone she truly loves."

to say she couldn't

was little, she always picked Timothy over you. You really think she'd suddenly

choices don't always stick, do they? Besides, yesterday at the Lawsons', I played along perfectly. Phelps was so mad his face was turning all shades of red. He kept saying it'd look bad for Jessy to marry me after divorcing Timothy, but honestly, that's just the Lawsons being uptight. No one in our family cares about that kind

So what if

all your lectures-how you can't trust someone who says

your worldview, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her marry you

out his cigarette.

at least he's always treated her

end, it's Jessy's choice. Don't go playing

leave you to your jet lag. I'm heading over there to check on

"Mm."

left, Yates

When he

phone and

's number.

was still lying in his hospital bed.

ID, he picked

"Timothy."

Yates's tone was serious.

answered quietly, "Do

know about Salome now. How did you manage

mess of things?”

silence on the other