Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 22

"The press claims they've spotted your mysterious wife..."

Timothy paused, a flicker of something complicated in his sharp eyes.

He was no longer the same Timothy who'd grown up alongside her. Years of navigating the business world had left him more composed, more inscrutable than

ever.

Sheila realized she could no longer read him the way she once did.

After a moment, he finally replied, his voice even. "It doesn't matter."

Sheila blinked, momentarily thrown. Did he really not care at all?

She tried again, gently. "But Jessica is your wife."

"She has the marriage certificate. If that piece of paper can't give her peace of mind, then she's being rather foolish, isn't she?"

Sheila hesitated, thinking it over. "Alright then. I just didn't want her to overthink. That's all I wanted to say. You should get some rest."

"Mm."

Timothy said nothing more, and Sheila quietly left the room.

He lit a cigarette, his gaze falling to the velvet box on the table. Rising, he tucked the box away in his suitcase.

then, his

to the nightstand and

It was Phelps.

"Grandpa."

visited the old house. Why don't you come home for

edge of the bed, phone pressed

Bring Jessica and Henry

"Alright."

raised Timothy

for that one falling-out seven years ago, their bond had

Timothy sent a message

care where you are right now-you need to be back at The Gilded Whisper Estates by the

asleep. She didn't see the message until

years, she'd simply seen him as the stern patriarch of a wealthy family. His strictness never

Timothy's. She'd never dared hope the Lawson family

her best-showing respect and patience to every member of the

once Sheila entered the picture, Phelps' two major emotional outbursts had made

was nothing more than

the old man's plans

capable of holding on to Timothy's

Everything was becoming clearer.

prompted Timothy to marry her seven years ago-it had to