Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Are you really sure you can handle this?"

Henry fixed Timothy with big, round eyes, clearly skeptical.

Timothy's face flickered between pale and flushed. "Whether I can or not, I don't have a choice. You little rascal have caused me enough trouble already. I don't have time to deal with you right now-go grab your backpack. I'll drop you off first."

Mabel overheard the exchange from the hallway.

It was clear to her that Mr. Bennett was still trying to win back his wife's heart. The thought brought her a sliver of comfort.

She hoped he'd finally open his eyes and see what a good woman Mrs. Bennett was. As for Sheila, she seemed fake no matter how you looked at her. Sure, she might be great at charming the little master now, but who could say what the future would hold?

And the boy-bless him-was too naive. No matter how close he might get to another woman, nothing could ever compare to his own mother's love.

Timothy dropped Henry off at the Lawson estate. As he was leaving, he pulled out his phone and dialed Sheila.

He hadn't reached out to her in days.

She picked up.

"I found you a spot on an animated film production," Timothy said. "I've already talked to Secretary Allen about the details. He'll send you the info later. If you're interested, take it-the project has potential."

"Thanks."

"I've been busy lately, so I can't follow up myself. From now on, coordinate with Secretary Allen. If anything comes up, talk to her."

Sheila sat at her desk, computer in hand, momentarily stunned.

Was he trying to distance himself from her?

For Jessica's sake?

Even though she realized it, she managed to laugh softly and say, "Alright. Just... take care of yourself, even when you're busy."

"Yeah. I need to go."

listened to the dial tone after the call ended, feeling the rift between her

Jessica back. Jessica had come to see her-it

one still clinging to hope, and Sheila wasn't worried. Jessica didn't need her

ever did want to

it'd be time to let her know the truth Timothy had

ensure Jessica would never forgive

completely in the dark; she

wasn't concerned. She could always deny it. After all these years, there was no way anyone could confront her with

be able to speak until the afternoon, so she hadn't had a chance to share

after Timothy left, she

answered, and Jessica's voice came

thrilled. "You're speaking so fluently

can never thank you enough. You've done so much for

impossible to

recovery was. Her grandmother had worried herself sick over

don't have

like that

Your recovery was alwanet

in this direction. itoned so

MS

why

without your guidance,

fast. I really

me take

lunch tomorrow." fo

"I'd like that."

"Then it's a date."

sat at her vanity, gazing at the

know how to navigate things with Herbert. She could ignore everything else for now, but she owed him

him a gift,

that was for the best; it didn't feel right to give a present like that just

end, she decided to make him

of praise; not only were her paper cuttings decorative, but they also