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

went through with the ceremony,

gone looking

confronted Timothy, teasing him

all just a childhood game-he never

now, as adults, life had turned out so much more dramatic

childhood fantasies.

ended up

memories now brought a strange

talk of love just friendship and

up. Now they understood

the tangled web of relationships

face this? How were they supposed to solve

spun with

car soon pulled up at Zimmerman Manor. On the

would

now, the meal was nearly

getting out of the car, Mrs. Bryant clung

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

something to

too. My

disbelief and turned

supposed to be the intimidating ones?

than the bride herself! I've

a moment that deserved

a glare. "Excited or not,

you'd better

chimed

stern look. The two

practically

on him.

his throat and

father, I order

and

Suddenly reminded of a classic line from a TV show

I curse you...'

felt like he

got

and helped

of the car. "It's

begun. If you

let's eat first,

you can dream

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

as she

an eyebrow. "Not

reached for his ear, but Yates

family walked into

of them and was standing outside

He

"Jessy."

years, she had lived as Jessica every official

tied to