Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy strode over and snatched the photo album out of Vince's hands. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

Vince shrugged, undeterred. "I was just showing Jessy some pictures. How is that boring? Give it back."

He reached for the album, but Timothy deftly dodged him. "Are there any photos of me in here?"

"Yeah, of course."

“I knew it. You always develop my most embarrassing shots. I don't approve of

this little viewing party-so I'm confiscating the album."

With that, Timothy turned on his heel, clutching the album protectively.

"Hey, you-" Vince started to protest.

Jessica gently tapped Vince's shoulder, then typed a message on her phone and held it up for him to read: "Let it go. There's no need to argue with him."

Vince had brought out the album because it was full of childhood memories-they all shared so many moments back then. He'd hoped to tug at Timothy's heartstrings, make him remember Salome, and maybe, just maybe, guilt him into being honest. But if Timothy wanted to take the album and reminisce on his own, so be it.

Feeling a dull ache of guilt, Vince took a seat beside Jessica. "Jessy, I'm really sorry you've been dragged into all this because of my sister. You shouldn't have to put up with it. I'll try to talk to him."

Jessica offered him a faint smile and began typing: "It's okay. Anyway, the cooling- off period is a month. Henry broke my heart, but in the end, he's still my own flesh and blood. I can't just stop caring about him entirely."

always so kind," Vince replied, visibly pained for her. "But you're the one

this is nothing," she typed back. "I've been through so much already, I don't really feel it anymore. Besides, in a month, I'll be out of this house for good.

my family's greatest wish. Thank you, truly. I can't tell you how much it means to

my fault. If it weren't for

rueful laugh. "You really do know how to comfort people. Is this how

divorce might have been simple.

"If I didn't keep telling myself that, I'd be

at her. "Remember this: no matter where you are or what you're facing, if you ever need

smiled. “Actually, I do need

attentive.

father. After her

do you want to find a father like that?" Vince

wasn't that she wanted to, exactly. She hadn't tried to find him all these years. But now, she wanted to live-to fight for

than to hope

Maybe, just maybe, he'd help her for

hospital could find a match through the waiting list, that would be ideal. But

them. So she simply messaged Vince: "I haven't seen him in years, but I want to ask him why he left

question had haunted her

a child, she'd seen friends like Herbert grow up without fathers, but at least their mothers had loved them. She'd lost her mother, and her father had still abandoned her. There