Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Alright, see you in a bit."

Timothy hung up. Mabel turned to him, "Sir, why don't you go have some breakfast? I'll tidy things up here."

But with Jessica gone, Timothy had no appetite for breakfast.

He walked straight out the door.

Vince drove the car out of the gated community. "Jessy, I was fibbing to Timothy earlier—I've already eaten. If you and Daisy want to go to Velvet Fork for their famous pastries, I'll drop you both off."

But she had no real craving for pastries.

Back when she was living with the Lawsons, she used to stand in line at Velvet Fork just because she heard Timothy liked their pastries. She'd wait for ages, hoping to bring some home for him, but she never managed to catch him at the right time.

He traveled so often, always returning on unpredictable schedules. Sometimes he'd say he'd be back, and then postpone his trip. Even when he was home, he'd often vanish early in the morning. In the end, not once did she manage to hand him those pastries herself.

"I'm easy—let's see what Daisy feels like eating. You can take us to whichever restaurant she likes."

"Alright."

After dropping Jessica and Daisy off, Vince explained he had other commitments and couldn't stay with them.

With the film's promo ramping up, he had a string of meetings lined up, and with the New Year preview screening approaching-plus another major release date just around the corner-there was plenty to do.

Jessica took Daisy into the restaurant.

They'd just started eating when her phone rang-Herbert Wheeler was calling.

He'd had surgery last night and worked until the early hours. He'd wanted to invite Jessica to dinner, but the timing didn't work out. So, he suggested meeting on Christmas Day instead.

"Little Mute, are you free today?"

"I am."

amusement park when you were little. Want to

laughed, "That's exactly where I was headed. But I'll

"Who?"

wasn't Vince. That would be

a godmother to a very

he could

you two?

hang up and text you

Daisy

your new

name is Daisy," Jessica introduced them. "Daisy, this is Mr.

Mr.

a polite girl," Herbert praised, smiling at Jessica.

Zimmerman family-Herbert's aunt's

made sense; Jessica didn't have a lot

Vince, Herbert thought, exasperated, couldn't come himself and instead arranged for a goddaughter to tag along

Herbert wouldn't let it show. He certainly wasn't about to compete with a child. He spoke kindly to

boarding school and was only allowed out for monthly breaks, major holidays, and vacation

explained why, as soon as they entered the amusement park, Daisy was practically bouncing with excitement, tugging Jessica's hand

tied up with work, her

today, when Vince was busy, meant Daisy might not

made Jessica's heart ache for the

and cheerful, not weighed down

ride the carousel?" Daisy asked

"Of course-let's go!"