Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince had barely stepped outside when he spotted Timothy's car pulling up the driveway.

Timothy was sitting in the backseat, the window lowered. "You coming?"

Vince climbed in without a word.

Timothy wasted no time. "She's at your place, isn't she?"

"You've done your homework," Vince replied, eyeing him warily. His voice dropped, cold and heavy. "Still going with the same old plan?"

Timothy's tone was mild, almost indifferent. “That's not going to work anymore." "Why not?"

Vince figured Timothy's only move had ever been to stall for time—he never had any better ideas. Delay, and hope for another chance later. That was always his way.

"Because you're onto me now. You'd see right through it."

Vince gave a crooked half-smile. "So you're divorcing her, and now you're picking a fight with me?"

"And whose fault is that?" Timothy shot back. "If you'd kept out of it, things wouldn't have gotten so complicated. Vince, we've been friends for years. Why not let it go? I never wanted to divorce her. All this mess-it's just one big misunderstanding."

"It's too late for that," Vince said, his voice steady. "I'm involved now. I'm not backing down. You want me out? I say you should be the one to let go." He paused, then offered a suggestion. "If you really can't bear to lose her, then divorce her and win her back the right way. At least if you let her go now, maybe you'll still leave her with some good memories of you."

Timothy's brow furrowed. "She won't even come home while we're still married. If we divorce, what makes you think she'll give me another chance?"

He wasn't about to fall for Vince's bait.

"And if tomorrow doesn't go your way, have you thought about the fallout? She might really go scorched earth on you, Timothy. I think she's truly done this time. And honestly, I don't see why she'd want to come back. You never appreciated her. Wouldn't it be better to end things peacefully?"

Timothy's voice was edged with anger. "And what makes you think I didn't appreciate her?"

"I can see it plain as day. Anyone can. You clinging to her like this—it's just pointless."

Vince wished, more than anything, that Timothy would just let go, cut the cord, and be done with it.

butting in. So now I'm giving you the problem, Vince. I don't let people force

want to do-including

expression was hard as

exactly are you dumping this on

"I found your sister."

humorless chuckle. "You

family, so I'm not telling

narrowed. "So it's true. You really did

"Yeah."

Timothy by the collar, voice shaking

you. I'm not

grip tightened, digging into Timothy's neck until it hurt. But

You win. You tracked down Salome for the Zimmerman family, and I shouldn't

But don't you understand how desperate we are to

been sick with worry

"She's dying now!"

everything we've been through isn't enough for you to tell me the truth right

words tumbled out in a rush,

resolve faltered for a second. He knew every word Vince

daughter. You need your sister. The Zimmermans need Salome. But

was, Timothy would be

years, but the Bryants had never called off the

came out, there would be no future for

Vince was the only leverage he had

eyes burned red, his gaze icy and murderous. The ever-smiling

stranger, his

one more time: where is

get Jessy to come home and drop