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."

much you wanted to go to the amusement park when you were little. Want to go today, just

headed. But

"Who?"

it wasn't Vince. That would be a

just become a godmother to a very

could

Where are you two? I'll come pick you

up and

Daisy waited

is your

Jessica introduced

you, Mr. Wheeler," Daisy greeted

praised, smiling at Jessica. "Whose child is

the Zimmerman family-Herbert's

have

couldn't come himself and instead

a pang of jealousy twisted inside him, Herbert wouldn't let it show. He certainly wasn't about to compete with

was only allowed out for monthly breaks, major holidays,

amusement park, Daisy was practically

lived with the Greenes, Vince was always tied up with work, her grandparents were abroad, and her great-grandfather was elderly.

might not get to visit the amusement

made Jessica's heart ache for the little

was still lively and cheerful, not weighed down by

can we ride the carousel?" Daisy asked

"Of course-let's go!"