Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He couldn't afford to back himself into a corner.

So he stepped aside and let her pass.

Jessica swept into the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood. With a sharp bang, she slammed the door shut behind her.

A wave of helplessness washed over Timothy.

He remembered how easily she'd agreed to marry him all those years ago. Back then, winning her hand had been effortless. She'd always been so quiet, so undemanding-until she lost her temper. When she did, coaxing her back was nearly impossible.

Ever since she started this latest argument, he hadn't managed to comfort her, not even once.

The only time she'd softened was on her birthday, and even then, it lasted just a couple of days before she stormed out again.

Frustrated and restless, Timothy left The Gilded Whisper Estates and got into his car. He pulled out his phone and called Yates Bryant.

"Want to get a drink?" Yates chuckled. "Are you out of your mind? It's not dinner, it's not even evening-it's the middle of the afternoon. Shouldn't we be having tea, not whiskey?"

"I need a drink," Timothy replied.

"Well, I don't," Yates said flatly. "Not in the mood."

"I'm in a lousy mood. Can't you keep me company, just this once?"

Something in Timothy's voice made it clear he was at a low point.

Yates sighed. "Fine, fine. Since you're about to get dumped, I'll do you a favor and join you."

"Anywhere you want. My treat.”

"How about The Velvet Ivy? I'm nearby."

Timothy instructed his driver to head to The Velvet Ivy. The place was across town, so it took nearly half an hour to get there. As they neared the entrance, Timothy sent Yates a quick text.

Yates replied that he was already waiting in a private lounge.

stepped out-and immediately spotted the Bentley Jessica had

owner was here,

phone

you to check a license plate for me,"

time, Jessica was messaging Vince, asking him to

car.

the Bentley once more, Timothy ended the call and finally headed

his cane as he entered the private suite.

the surgery. Shouldn't be much longer

could have been. Four to eight weeks on crutches, the doctor said, but

poured them each a drink. "So, what's got you

Timothy said with a wry smile. "She's got

and honestly, I can't win an argument with

that—she actually had a point, and he knew

can talk? She's not

"Some trauma when she was a kid. Caused her

you find a doctor who could help her?" Yates

Timothy's face clouded. "No."

recovered on

"Yeah," Timothy said quietly.

yet. Are you sure you

just have a little. Helps with the

shook his head. "You're something else, you know that? She lost her voice for years, married you

me forget my troubles. Why are you rubbing salt

why no one likes hearing it. We've known each other forever, I'm not here to sugarcoat things and make you feel better. There are plenty of people who'll do that. But nice words

clinked his glass against Timothy's and

a moment. "You've got perspective. Tell me, what

up and down. "You want the truth or

"Of course

shoes. If you were

had said something similar earlier. If the situation were reversed-if she took Herbert out and someone mistook her for Henry's mother, and she didn't bother to clear it up-could he really