Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Although Jessica had left the Gilded Whisper Estates, her business there wasn't truly finished. That's why she didn't reach out to Herbert, but instead returned to her own small apartment.

Back in her own space, she felt herself relax, the heavy tension of the Estates finally falling away.

Today happened to be Timothy's birthday.

No wonder he never celebrated it. Now she understood-the day also marked the anniversary of his mother's death.

She remembered a time when she'd tried to throw him a birthday party. He'd gotten angry, and she'd been hurt by his reaction. Knowing now that he had his reasons, she found herself strangely numb. The answer had come too late.

If she'd known earlier, maybe her hurt would have faded, replaced by sympathy or even guilt. She might have sought him out to apologize, to offer comfort. But everything, she realized, seemed orchestrated by fate.

She and Timothy were simply from different worlds. They never should have crossed paths in the first place.

Tonight, she suspected neither Sheila nor the Lawsons would be able to sit still. Let them wrestle with each other; only then could she slip away quietly tomorrow.

had prepared everything, taking a steadying breath

Jessica might tell Timothy something. But now, there was nothing left

from his room, his handsome

voice gentle. "You haven't eaten anything tonight. I asked the kitchen to send something up. Please,

hungry," he said

day when food

sad. "I've never celebrated my birthday-not once. Would you sit with me for a birthday dinner? There's no cake,

born the same day

only ever had one child, found Sheila-an abandoned newborn-on the home from the hospital after their daughter's passing. Timothy's grandmother always believed Sheila was a gift from above,

things laid out so plainly, Timothy couldn't refuse. Because of his mother, his grandparents had never celebrated Sheila's birthday on this day, despite their love

"All right," he agreed.

the table, a decanter of wine waited, breathing beside