Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"You shouldn't be worrying about whether I'll agree or not. Even if I say yes,

it's pointless if Salome refuses. She just found her way back to her family, and

everyone in the Zimmerman family will put her wishes first. There's no way they'd

force her into anything."

"That's true." Mrs. Bryant muttered, patting Middleton's arm. "Salome hasn't spent

any time with Yates all these years. What if she says no?"

"Then Yates will just have to win her over. When we see her in a bit, let's feel

things out before bringing up anything official. If she's against it, the Zimmermans

will call off the engagement, and that's that."

"My dear, you always know what to do. That's exactly how we'll handle it." Mrs.

Bryant beamed and looked up front, calling out to Yates, "You know, you're just as

good-looking as Timothy, and you're just as successful, if not more. You need to

show off that charm of yours and sweep Salome off her feet. Tonight, let's not

mention the marriage at all. If we push too hard, you might not get another chance

to turn things around."

Yates couldn't help but laugh. Of course, with Salome back, this was always going

to be the outcome.

His parents were determined to see him pursue Salome, no matter what.

But as their voices faded, Yates's mind drifted, and an image of Jessica flashed

before his eyes.

What a twist of fate.

"Who would have thought Jessica was Salome all along?

People truly are strange creatures.

"When they were little, everything was so simple. They'd watch those dramatic

scenes on TV, then play make-believe at home.

Back then, the plan was for Timothy to come and "steal the bride" during their

pretend wedding.

never showed

and Salome went through with the ceremony, just

they'd gone looking for Timothy

even confronted Timothy, teasing him that she liked

all just a childhood game-he never took it

as adults, life had turned out so

childhood fantasies.

ended up

about those memories now brought a strange feeling

then, there was no talk of love

Now they understood

the tangled

supposed to face this? How were they supposed

head spun with

up at Zimmerman Manor. On

make sure dinner would be ready when

meal was nearly

car, Mrs. Bryant clung tightly to Middleton's

daughter-in-law. I'm so nervous,

something to

too. My heart's

disbelief and turned around from the front seat.

be the intimidating

herself! I've never seen future in-laws this

a moment that deserved the word "speechless," this was

a glare. "Excited or not, if you do your part, both sides

you'd

chimed in,

with a stern look. The

practically pinning

hopes on

his throat and

order you to

stops and

of a classic line from a TV

I curse you...'

felt like he

mind. He got

and helped his

car.

If you want

first, go home,

can dream

clever with me? Are you making fun of us?"

look as

eyebrow. "Not bad, you caught on

for his ear, but Yates dodged

walked into

arrived ahead of them

door. He

"Jessy."

she had lived as Jessica

all tied to