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.

just in time to see Jessica climbing out with Daisy in her arms. Vince got out as well, reaching to take Daisy

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

you let

doesn't have any clothes

fit her well enough for one night. You can bring her

hesitated, then

knelt to Daisy's eye level. "You

Daisy nodded vigorously.

of them turned and saw Timothy standing in

cool glance,

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

is my wife.

to oblige, but Jessica quickly interrupted, "Daisy, your godmother is getting a divorce.

brow furrowed in exasperation. "Do you really need

child? She doesn't

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 mischievously. "Godmother, after you get divorced, you should marry my

Zimmermans. Each one more outrageous than the

tapping Daisy's little nose. "You have a point, kiddo. Such a grown-up. Now, time for a bath

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

filled with beautifully arranged red apples, their glossy skins shining in the atmospheric glow of string

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

spirit filled the room, and Jessica's lashes

happened a year ago, maybe things would have been different. But now, she no longer needed any of

He said

probably afraid she'd tell him to stop, or accuse him