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 showed

with the ceremony, just the two

they'd gone looking for Timothy

him that she liked

childhood

out so much more dramatic than

childhood fantasies.

ended up marrying

memories now brought a

no talk of

now, they were all grown up. Now they understood what love was, what

tangled web of

to face this? How were

head spun with

car soon pulled up at Zimmerman Manor. On

would

the meal was nearly

of the car, Mrs. Bryant clung tightly to

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

something to

nervous too. My heart's

at them in disbelief and turned around from the front seat.

intimidating ones? You

the bride herself! I've

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

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

So you'd better step

Middleton chimed in,

stern look. The

were practically

hopes on

his throat

I order you

and win

of a classic line from

I curse

he was

mind. He got out,

door, and helped his

the car. "It's just

begun. If you

first,

dream all you

trying to be clever with me? Are you making fun of us?" Mrs. Bryant

look as

"Not bad, you

for his ear,

walked into Zimmerman

had arrived ahead of them and was standing outside

He knocked

"Jessy."

had lived as Jessica every official

tied