Goodbye, Mr. Regret

This one's just perfect-small, delicate, and beautifully crafted.

Once the frame was finished and Jessica had it in hand, she felt a swell of satisfaction. She walked over to a nearby gift shop and asked them to wrap it up nicely.

While she waited for the clerk to finish, her phone buzzed. Carlisle had messaged her.

Jessy, our film's finally been approved by the board.

That's amazing! Congratulations!

With the green light, the film could finally be released. It was about time to kick off the promotions.

Mr. Zimmerman wants to start the campaign tomorrow-Christmas Eve. The preview screening is set for New Year's Day. Jessy, everything's gone so smoothly. I can't thank you enough.

No need to thank me. It's your team's talent that made things move along so well. Honestly, we didn't have the budget for early promotions, but I trust Vince will make sure everything is in place now. With the movie about to premiere, a strong campaign will give us the momentum we need.

Yes, I really hope opening night goes well. I'd hate to let down all your hard work. Jessica wanted the film to succeed, of course. But the real reason she'd helped them in the first place was to encourage them to chase their dreams.

She remembered all too well how it felt to give up on her own. She never wanted them to feel that same regret.

She typed out a message:

Carlisle, don't put so much pressure on yourself. This is only your first film. If things don't go as planned, we'll make a second, and then a third. I'm supporting you because I believe in your dream-not because I expect a return, okay?

She knew from experience how crushing high hopes could be when reality didn't measure up. Success often required luck—a perfect mix of timing, opportunity, and people. If the film didn't do as well as hoped, she didn't want Carlisle's team to lose heart.

Thank you. No matter what happens, we won't give up.

felt at ease after reading his

our all without getting greedy or anxious. The rest,

see the

Without her, there wouldn't even be a team, let

I'll

Right.

to me-I'll wait for the trailer tomorrow, and for the preview screening. I want to experience it

conversation over, Jessica found herself in

moving in a good direction. For someone who'd spent years under Timothy's control, it was the first real glimmer of hope she'd

stepped into a cab, feeling lighter than she had in

and her divorce papers were finalized, Vince would get to see his sister again.

table at The Silverthread Eatery for

couldn't be late tonight. The three people she'd invited were

hoped to

but they'd

a

room, which, with

floor-to-ceiling windows and

Pet

booths, was stil elegant

Vince arrived, followed quickly

but Ines didn't. As Jessica greeted her

filling with tears as she squeezed Jessica's hand. "Jessy,