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

face, she felt a rush of emotions-grief, comfort,

-all at once.

feel

it

"Every year, Mom

the

can't find something, just ask.

early tonight. We'll

Jessica nodded.

to the wardrobe and

brand-new clothes, tags still

covered with jewelry and

eyes stung with

a family who loved

hadn't forgotten about her or pretended she didn't exist. Even though

she'd always

into the

found herself aching to see

she was a mother herself, she understood at least a little what

love your

fished out her phone

Vince had already contacted the Bryants,

was waiting for them at the Lawson estate,

as soon as possible.

Larkin had 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

for

learned today that they were siblings,

of her childhood, she'd always called him by

remembered I'm your

I should start calling you that anyway.

I want to book

Jessica couldn't wait any longer.

her as soon as possible-maybe it would help

of your ID," Vince

You

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

a picture of her ID. Vince,

Grandpa, arranged for his assistant to book a flight for after ten

Whisper Estates. As soon as he stepped

car, Yates strode

about?"

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