Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Bryant, but I'll be fine if I just stick to some light food. My brother and I are actually leaving tonight to visit our mother abroad, so there's no need to trouble a doctor right now. If I'm still not feeling well after we land, I'll see someone over there."

Mrs. Bryant nodded, her expression still full of care. "You only just got back today, and of course you should see your mother. She's probably been worried sick waiting for you. By the way, do your parents know you're home?"

"Not yet," Jessica replied with a smile. "I want to surprise her in person."

Middleton seized the opportunity to interject, "How about this-why don't you let Yates go with you? He can visit your mother on behalf of both me and Mrs. Bryant. I heard him say just the other day that he's got some international film investments to discuss, so it works out perfectly."

He turned to Yates, eyebrows raised. "Isn't that right? You're heading over there for those investment meetings?"

"I..." Yates hesitated. That wasn't part of his plan at all.

But Middleton's pointed look made it clear this wasn't a request.

Changing tack, Yates said, "Yes, I do have a few film investments to discuss. Vince, let's travel together."

Mrs. Bryant silently applauded her son-what a clever, perceptive young man, always quick to catch on to what his parents wanted.

Vince checked their flight details and had Yates book a seat on the same plane.

He knew exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were thinking. Letting Yates come along was a chance for him to meet Vince's parents and discuss the pending engagement. Jessy didn't approve of the arrangement, and neither did Yates, so having a frank conversation beforehand would make things much easier with the Bryants.

At 11 p.m., the three of them boarded an overnight flight abroad.

As the plane took off, Jessica felt her heart race with excitement.

She was finally going to see her mother again-the mother who had missed her so much that her health had suffered.

"Vince, I saw a picture of Mom at home today. She was so beautiful when she was young."

course she was. How else could she have had such a

But now, with his sister safely by

seat wasn't next to theirs. He ended up on the opposite side of the cabin,

evening. The distance between them felt almost

that Yates realized Jessica had no memories from childhood. That must be why, after living so close to home for seven years, she'd never

yet their bond was instantly strong once they

with her. Now, it

out for her the way Vince did. Even when

other hand, had protected Jessica from the start, willing to stand up to Timothy for her

just dismissed Vince's concern as meddling, telling himself that, as Timothy's friends,

justified Timothy's behavior, saying it was normal for men like him

back, Yates felt nothing

Jessica wasn't just anybody.

was Salome-the girl they'd all adored as kids. He, Vince, Timothy, even Kane

and sweet, the kind of child who'd take the blame when they

one among them, had

the siblings chat quietly across the aisle. When he'd first met her again, she hadn't spoken at all. Now, hearing her soft, gentle voice, he realized just how much had changed.

their conversation faded, and when he glanced over,

and carefully draped it over

a chance to talk

alone since

about Jessica's identity that

afternoon.

a

the right place for

conversation.