Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He couldn't afford to back himself into a corner.

So he stepped aside and let her pass.

Jessica swept into the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood. With a sharp bang, she slammed the door shut behind her.

A wave of helplessness washed over Timothy.

He remembered how easily she'd agreed to marry him all those years ago. Back then, winning her hand had been effortless. She'd always been so quiet, so undemanding-until she lost her temper. When she did, coaxing her back was nearly impossible.

Ever since she started this latest argument, he hadn't managed to comfort her, not even once.

The only time she'd softened was on her birthday, and even then, it lasted just a couple of days before she stormed out again.

Frustrated and restless, Timothy left The Gilded Whisper Estates and got into his car. He pulled out his phone and called Yates Bryant.

"Want to get a drink?" Yates chuckled. "Are you out of your mind? It's not dinner, it's not even evening-it's the middle of the afternoon. Shouldn't we be having tea, not whiskey?"

"I need a drink," Timothy replied.

"Well, I don't," Yates said flatly. "Not in the mood."

"I'm in a lousy mood. Can't you keep me company, just this once?"

Something in Timothy's voice made it clear he was at a low point.

Yates sighed. "Fine, fine. Since you're about to get dumped, I'll do you a favor and join you."

"Anywhere you want. My treat.”

"How about The Velvet Ivy? I'm nearby."

Timothy instructed his driver to head to The Velvet Ivy. The place was across town, so it took nearly half an hour to get there. As they neared the entrance, Timothy sent Yates a quick text.

was already waiting

stepped out-and immediately spotted the

the owner

out his phone and

plate for me," Timothy said,

was messaging Vince, asking

car.

Timothy ended the call and

leaned heavily on his cane as he entered the private suite. Yates glanced up from his seat. "How's the leg? Any

since the

as it could have been. Four to eight weeks on crutches, the doctor said, but he could hardly

"So, what's got you in such

said with

I can't win an

just that—she actually had a point, and he

can talk? She's not

she was a kid. Caused her

could help her?" Yates asked,

Timothy's face clouded. "No."

on

"Yeah," Timothy said quietly.

yet. Are you sure you should be drinking? Maybe we should just have a smoke

a little. Helps with the

glass, but before he could take a sip, Yates shook his head. "You're something else, you know that? She lost her voice for years, married you for seven, and you never once took her

called you to have a drink, to help me forget my troubles. Why are you

eyebrow. "Hey, the truth hurts. That's why no one likes hearing it. We've known each other forever, I'm not here to sugarcoat things and make you feel better.

his glass against Timothy's and took a slow

moment. "You've got perspective. Tell me, what can I do to make

and down. "You

grumbled. "Of course