Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stopped Larkin, shaking her head. "Let's just leave it. I don't want to be

tangled up with their family anymore."

The more you try to sort it out, the messier it gets.

But Larkin's jaw tightened. "If I don't confront Phelps about this, I'll never be able

to swallow my anger. Don't worry, Jess. I'll handle this. No matter what, I'll make

sure your divorce from Timothy goes through smoothly."

It was in that moment Jessica realized: having family, for a woman after marriage,

was the greatest source of strength.

Her grandfather had lost his granddaughter for so many years, and now he knew

in advance all the hurt she'd suffered at the Lawsons' hands. There was no way

The'd stand by and do nothing.

Jessica didn't try to stop him again.

Vince put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Come on, I'll show you to your

room. You've had a tough day-just rest here tonight. Let us handle the rest."

"Alright," she agreed quietly.

She was drained, physically and emotionally, from the whole exhausting divorce

ordeal. The idea of rest was a relief.

Jessica followed Vince down the hall to her room.

Stopping at the door, Vince glanced back at her. "Even though you haven't been

home for years, Mom always kept your room ready. After you turned eighteen, she

even had it redecorated."

With that, he pushed the door open.

The room was awash in soft, feminine touches-blush-pink curtains, a crisp white

bed, a neat row of plush toys lined up above the headboard. On the wall hung an

oversized photograph. There was a picture frame on the nightstand too, holding a

photo of her as a little girl.

the frame as she picked it

at her childhood face, she felt

-all at once.

feel

it felt

the doorway. "Every year, Mom bought

checked-all the sizes

need is here. If you can't find something, just ask. Grandpa

tonight. We'll have dinner

Jessica nodded.

to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside,

clothes,

vanity was covered

stung with

she did have a family who

pretended she didn't exist.

she'd always been in their

seeped into the cracks of her battered

herself aching to

she understood at least a

love your child like

out her

Vince had already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr. and Mrs.

Grandpa was waiting for them at the Lawson estate, urging

as soon as possible.

decided to split up-one headed

the Gilded Whisper Estates.

called Yates, telling him to meet at the Gilded Whisper

Vince answered Jessica's call.

"Hey, Jess-"

then said

froze for

learned today that they were siblings,

memories of her childhood, she'd always called him by

remembered I'm your

should start calling

book

Jessica couldn't wait

her as soon as possible-maybe it would help

photo of your ID," Vince said quickly. "I'll have my secretary buy

for you. You want

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

texted him a picture of her ID. Vince, hoping she'd still have dinner

for his assistant to book a flight

pulled up to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon as

car, Yates

about?" Yates

grim. "Come inside. You'll find out soon