Goodbye, Mr. Regret

A heavy silence settled over the room.

They had been friends since childhood-once inseparable.

As Timothy's emotions spilled over, the sadness in his voice tugged at Vince and Yates, no matter how hard they tried to steel themselves.

After a moment, Timothy sank onto the couch, his tone detached. "Go to the Lawsons. Tell them-everything that happened was my fault. I'll take the blame."

"If you want to take Jessica away, do it. I won't stand in your way anymore."

"Just... leave. I don't want to see either of you right now."

Vince had carried a thousand grievances in his chest, thinking he'd finally let them out when he saw Timothy. But faced with Timothy's withdrawal, it was like punching into a pillow-no resistance, no catharsis.

Timothy was backing down completely, refusing to fight back or even acknowledge their anger. He'd never once raised a hand to them. Even when Herbert Wheeler had come by last time, Timothy just dodged, taking a blow from a pool cue without retaliating.

Especially with Vince and Yates-he simply absorbed every accusation, refusing to argue or defend himself. Yates had even landed a couple of punches just now, and Timothy hadn't said a word.

Vince felt a growing frustration twist inside him. He grabbed Yates by the arm. "Let's go."

Yates looked stricken with guilt. As they stepped out of the villa, he frowned and muttered, "Where's Salome?"

"She's at home. Let's check in at the Lawson mansion first, see what's happening."

They each got into their own cars.

The second time was at Larkin Zimmerman's birthday dinner-he'd noticed her again, thinking how patient she seemed, much like Salome, even while Sallie Lawson criticized her

too, how as a kid he'd snipped off her braid and narrowly escaped a scolding from Mrs. Zimmerman,

it to Vince, even joked about it on social media, knowing Vince was looking for Salome

everything

had known all along that Jessica was Salome, and kept it from everyone. Yates still hadn't asked Vince how he'd

to dwell on it now. They needed to get to the Lawsons. Vince would

the Lawson

Don't forget, when you hit hard times, it was me who lent you a hand-a hefty loan, too, to help you out. And how did you repay us? How did you treat our Salome? She used to call you Grandpa Phelps, and you used to carry her

warned Larkin in advance, confiding that Jessica was

it a secret from

line until he could figure

both

Timothy hadn't told Larkin how he planned

was Salome. But you have my word, we're family now, and if anything's been done

say. You think a few casual words can wipe away all the hurt our Salome suffered at your hands? Wishful thinking. Salome's too kind to hold

"That's right," Middleton Bryant

his tone hard. "We

was always meant to

years

may have gotten

but to let her suffer this