Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila put on an innocent act, her tone aggrieved. "What are you talking about? Sure, I'm not related to him by blood, but I've been the Howard family's daughter for years. I'm still his aunt, you know. How could you accuse me of something so outrageous?"

"Accuse you?" Jessica scoffed, then continued in sign language, her expression icy. "I saw everything. He wrote your name all over that notebook, and there's a box in the storage room at the Gilded Whisper Estates-filled with proof that you two nearly got married. If it wasn't for love, do you think someone like Timothy would risk everything to marry you?"

This was exactly the scenario Sheila had hoped for.

Back then, before she left, she'd packed away all those things and stashed them in the storage room at the Gilded Whisper Estates.

Sheila bit her lip, feigning embarrassment at being caught. "When did you find out?"

So she admitted it—she and Timothy really were going to get married.

Jessica's only regret was realizing it too late. If she'd known sooner, she wouldn't have wasted seven years of her life on Timothy.

Now, she was finally certain she wanted a divorce.

The two of them had always been living a forbidden love. They needed someone else to cover for them, to act as a convenient excuse. But real love is always too crowded there's never room for a third person.

Jessica's voice was calm but resolute. "The first three months after Timothy brought you home," she answered. "We're both women, Sheila. I get how you feel. But love's a crowded thing-can it ever really fit three people? Don't you want me out of the picture for good?"

Sheila stared at Jessica, momentarily speechless.

Jessica actually believed her bond with Timothy was unbreakable.

were truly unbreakable,

crowded. It can't hold a third wheel. And Sheila could feel herself slipping out, getting pushed

never really opened up to Jessica, either-otherwise, she'd never

maybe that was for the best. As long as Jessica kept believing

now. He wants to spend his life with you. That's why he won't sign the divorce papers. Are you really willing to just walk away

best outcome would be for Jessica to give up completely. Love is

bitter smile. "Haven't I made myself clear

to sound concerned. "But what about Henry? You're just going to walk away from him,

barely even saw

to hold onto? Even if she wanted to stay, the Lawsons would never give

can't do anything,"

a little boy. He still needs his mother," Sheila pressed,

time she believed Henry couldn't live without her, but reality had proven otherwise. All the days she'd spent away from home, Henry had

son like that—it hardly mattered if he was by her side or not. Let him stay with his father. At least Timothy would

say. What are you waiting for? The role of Mrs. Lawson is yours for the

to her feet. "You've got it all wrong. There's nothing between Timothy and me. Please, stop saying

if

would be enough to get what she wanted. But she'd underestimated