Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert stared blankly into Vince's anxious eyes, blurting out, "Left side of her

chest-pink-heart-shaped."

Vince collapsed into the passenger seat, numb with shock. So it was true. Jessica

really was his Salome his long-lost little sister.

Timothy.

Within seconds, Vince's eyes brimmed red, his fists clenched so tight his arms

trembled. His teeth ground together audibly.

Herbert realized the truth must have matched. He hadn't expected Vince to care

so much about Jessica-or to have been relentlessly asking about her childhood

because he suspected she was the Zimmerman family's missing daughter.

With guilt heavy in his voice, Herbert muttered, "I'm sorry..."

Vince's reply was hoarse, "It's not your fault. I should have known."

Just as the words left his mouth, Vince's phone rang, slicing through the tension.

He picked it up. Timothy's name flashed across the screen.

Seeing that familiar name, Vince felt a murderous rage stir inside him.

He answered.

Timothy's voice was cold and calm. "Take Salome home. The family's waiting to

bring her back."

He'd given in.

He was letting Jessica go-letting her return to the family she belonged to, letting

her go somewhere he might never see her again.

He couldn't use Jessica's life as a gamble just to patch up a marriage that was

already beyond repair.

"Vince-"

Before Timothy could get out another word, Vince's voice exploded, nearly

Timothy's eardrum. "Don't call me Vince!

that night?"

was quiet for a heartbeat. Vince didn't

simply roared, cursing, "You

don't need your fake

Timothy was left with nothing but the cold

composure, was

raw and broken. "Turn the car around. I need to

sister."

a punch to

racing Vince to Jessica's

men scrambled out the moment they stopped. Vince's

hit the pavement, and he

rushed to

Vince

memories-Salome, as a child, calling him

that sweet, clear

only a step from the door, but it

sneak into his bed when she was cold,

in his arms. "Big brother, Salome loves you so

walked faster, she'd

behind, "Wait

he got in trouble

no dinner, she'd

food and promise to

Grandpa to help.

when the family

I have to be engaged

never heard anyone call him "big brother"

"Big brother..."

spoke before she walked,

first

floor, he was the

to; chubby

little bells. "Big

big brother..."

so he caught her in his arms, and she would

feather-light.

within reach,

never realized it.

even left her alone at The Gilded Whisper Estates, knowing it was

trap.

realized sooner-she wouldn't have suffered

"Salome... My Salome..."