Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Mom, I'm your real son! How can you only want Daisy and not me?"

Henry's words came out in a choked sob, pain tightening his chest until he could barely breathe. He'd never felt this miserable in his whole life.

Jessica's voice was cold as steel. "Didn't you already decide you wanted someone else to be your mother? Go be their son, then. I don't have a son like you."

She pulled her hand free of his, brushing him off with a flick of her wrist. As she turned to leave, Sallie stormed forward, hand raised, ready to slap Jessica across the face.

But just as Sallie's hand was about to come down, Herbert stepped in front of Jessica and Daisy, blocking the blow.

Timothy moved quickly too, inserting himself between Sallie and the rest. Sallie's slap landed squarely on Timothy's cheek.

She was furious-her hand hit hard. Timothy, already unsteady on his injured leg, lost his balance and crashed to the ground, his cane clattering away.

Jessica's heart lurched. She had never seen Timothy-usually so dignified and untouchable-look so helpless.

Sallie and Timothy had been born on the exact same day, even the same hour, but she'd always doted on him. The moment her hand struck his face, regret filled her. She hurried to help him up, as did Henry, who rushed to his father's side. Sallie also picked up the cane and tried to steady Timothy.

Jessica looked away, turning to Herbert. "Let's go."

She wanted nothing more to do with their family drama. Today was supposed to be a fun day at the amusement park with Daisy, and running into them had been nothing but bad luck.

Jessica walked away without so much as a backward glance. The emptiness inside him widened until he could barely

feet, bracing himself with his cane. Sallie fussed over him, brushing dust from his clothes and muttering, "Timothy, I'm so angry my stomach hurts. What's become of us? Not so long ago, everything

to be the picture of harmony. And the Gilded Whisper Estates -Jessica had always kept

a thousand times, treat her

you really blame me? Did you hear what she said? What kind of mother says that to her

yourself. She's speaking the truth.

said, now even his dad was

around Henry to comfort him.

not to let him suffer any more. The two adults-honestly, neither of them

does Mom really

sweetheart, of course she wants you. She gave birth to you-nothing can change that. No matter what happens, you'll always be her son. Daisy doesn't have a mom or dad,

She just said she doesn't

on gently, "Listen, Sheila is your dad's aunt-she's your

you call her

mom

called Sheila 'Mom'-of course she was hurt! Next time you see Sheila, you have to call her 'Aunt Sheila,' okay? As soon as you do that, your mom will forgive you, I

"Really?"