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.

prepared everything, taking a steadying

Sheila had been careful not to show too much in front of Jessica-always wary that Jessica might tell Timothy something. But now, there was nothing left to fear. Jessica herself was letting go. If Sheila tried hard enough,

his handsome features shadowed and

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

hungry," he

was the sort of day when food had no

sad. "I've never celebrated my birthday-not once. Would you sit with me for a

the same day Timothy's

grandmother always believed Sheila was a gift from above, a consolation for her loss. Though the age gap

Timothy couldn't refuse. Because of his mother, his grandparents

"All right," he agreed.

of wine waited, breathing beside