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.

Timothy never

Salome went through with the ceremony, just the two of

gone looking for

confronted Timothy, teasing him that she liked

all just a childhood game-he never took

turned out so much more dramatic than any of

childhood fantasies.

up

about those memories now brought

was no talk

up. Now they understood what

to navigate the tangled web of relationships

supposed to face this? How

spun

pulled up at Zimmerman Manor. On the

to make sure dinner would

the meal was nearly

out of the car, Mrs. Bryant clung tightly to

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

something to calm me

too.

at them in disbelief and turned

the intimidating ones? You two are

I've never

was a moment that deserved the word

a glare. "Excited or not, if

So you'd

chimed in,

stern

practically pinning

on

throat and

order you

and win Salome's

a classic line from a TV show 'In the

I curse you...'

he

mind. He got out, opened

door, and helped his

of the car. "It's just dinner,

If you want

first, go home,

can dream all

clever with me? Are you making fun of

look as she stepped

eyebrow. "Not bad, you

Bryant nearly reached for his

walked into Zimmerman

Vince had arrived ahead of them and was

He knocked

"Jessy."

lived as Jessica

all tied