Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Larkin grinned from ear to ear, eyes squinting with delight as she waved Jessica over. “Jessy, come here! This is Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, and our childhood friend, Yates."

Jessica took in the warm, beaming faces of the Bryants. Their kindness radiated from every gesture, and after hearing Vince talk about them, she couldn't help but think what a wonderful couple they were.

She stepped forward and greeted them with a small bow. "Good evening, Mr. Bryant. Mrs. Bryant."

Then she turned to Yates, nodding politely. "Good evening, Mr. Bryant."

Her manners were impeccable-gracious and respectful. Only after her greetings did she take a seat beside Larkin.

Middleton and Mrs. Bryant exchanged a surprised glance at Jessica addressing Yates as “Mr. Bryant,” but neither pressed for answers just yet.

Mrs. Bryant's eyes softened as she looked at Jessica, her voice gentle with concern. “Jessy, you've been through so much these past years. But you're home now, and that's all that matters. We've been waiting for you."

"Thank you for caring, Mrs. Bryant. You're right-now that I'm home, everything will be alright."

There's no safer harbor than being with family.

At that moment, the butler appeared and invited everyone to dinner.

They made their way to the dining room. Larkin sat at the head of the table, with Mr. and Mrs. Bryant on one side. Vince and Jessica took the seats opposite, while Yates sat further down.

Mrs. Bryant couldn't help but watch Jessica with growing affection. Even though she hadn't grown up with the Zimmerman family, Jessica still carried herself with such grace and warmth-some things run deep in the blood. There was no mistaking she was one of their own.

Their only regret was not finding her sooner. Still, the timing was good-her divorce from Timothy was nearly finalized, and soon she would be officially back in the family.

in between their smiles

gracious host, encouraged everyone to eat and soon the conversation

turned to Jessica. "Jessy, when we visited the Lawsons, Vince said you didn't

back with

everything Vince said is

Bryant, already suspecting why, let out a terse sigh. "That Timothy

Jessica and added gently, "If you don't want

had just lifted a piece of fish to her mouth when a wave of nausea hit her. Setting down her fork, she hurried from

"Did I say something wrong? Did I upset

head. “No, I think it was me. I shouldn't have

already on his way to check on

"It's not your fault. Timothy hurt Jessy so badly-just hearing his name is painful for her. Maybe

concern etched

through

had triggered her sudden nausea. Was it a symptom

bouts of nausea had come and gone. She rinsed her mouth

happened-I was just

flashed back to the last time Jessica had asked him for help collecting evidence against Timothy. He quickly

Jessica frowned. "No, that's not

Henry, and once she'd recovered,