Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince answered the call.

Timothy Lawson's voice came through the line.

"You're helping Jessy look into Mayfield. Do you know why she's after him?"

Jessica Greene frowned; Timothy seemed awfully interested in this matter.

She couldn't let him find out the truth.

Vince's reply was curt. "Stop calling me about this. I'm not telling you anything."

He hung up.

Turning to Jessica, Vince reassured her, "Don't worry, Jessy. I won't let him in on any of this."

“But getting justice for my grandmother won't be easy,” he added. “Timothy showed me Mayfield's file today. Turns out Mayfield's been living in Cloverdale for who-knows-how-long, and he's made quite a name for himself. I'd bet all those shady things he did in the past are well covered up now."

Jessica shook her head slightly. "No secret stays buried forever. It's not up to him to decide what stays hidden."

Vince nodded. "Yeah."

Jessica agreed, but she knew it wouldn't be easy.

And with Mayfield being Sheila Howard's biological father, she had no doubt Timothy would do anything to protect Sheila if he ever learned the truth.

That's why Timothy could never find out.

Their car pulled into The Gilded Whisper Estates.

Daisy stirred and woke up.

stepped outside just in time to see Jessica climbing out with Daisy

her arms around Jessica's neck. "Uncle, I don't want to go home. I want to

“Vince, why don't you let her sleep

any

fine-Henry's pajamas will fit her well enough for one night. You

then nodded.

to Daisy's eye level. "You be good for your godmother,

Daisy nodded vigorously.

turned and saw Timothy standing in

shot Timothy a cool glance, then got back in

inside. Daisy recognized Timothy at once and greeted him sweetly, "Good evening,

godmother is my wife. You should call me 'godfather' from now

your godmother is getting a divorce. You don't need to call

brow furrowed in exasperation. "Do you really need to say that

She doesn't even

up,

อน ๆ

do! Divorce means my godmother doesn't want you anymore, and you'll both live your own lives. If she's divorcing you, I'll just keep calling you Mr. Lawson." Then she glanced up at Jessica, her eyes sparkling

Zimmermans. Each one more outrageous

little nose. "You have a point, kiddo. Such a grown-up.

Jessica pushed open the master bedroom door, a wave of sweet apple fragrance

red apples, their glossy skins shining in the atmospheric glow of string lights. A Christmas tree stood

apples. If we eat one a day, it'll

filled the room,

had happened a year ago, maybe things would have

said nothing, simply turned and

to stop, or accuse him