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 phone

crossed to the nightstand and picked

It was Phelps.

"Grandpa."

house. Why don't you come home for the autumn holiday? I miss

back on the edge of the bed, phone pressed to his ear. "I

the holiday is my birthday. Bring Jessica and Henry home, will you? I've

"Alright."

raised Timothy

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

sent a message to

7th is Grandpa's birthday. He wants your chicken soup. I don't care where you are right now-you need to be back at

She didn't see the message

as the stern

worlds apart from Timothy's. She'd never dared hope the

Lawson, she always did her best-showing respect and patience to every

major emotional outbursts had made one thing painfully

more than a tool to tie Timothy

old

of holding on to

Everything was becoming clearer.

to marry her seven years ago-it had to be something out of the