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.

out-and immediately spotted the Bentley Jessica

owner was

out his phone and called his

plate for me," Timothy said, rattling off

time, Jessica was messaging Vince, asking him

car.

more, Timothy ended the call and finally

leaned heavily on his cane as he entered the private suite. Yates glanced up from his seat.

days since the surgery. Shouldn't be much longer

been as bad as it could have been. Four to eight weeks on crutches, the doctor said, but he could hardly wait to walk on his own

"So, what's got you

wife's finally talking," Timothy said with a wry smile. "She's got

can't

actually had a point, and he knew

second-she can talk? She's not

when she was a kid. Caused her

you find a doctor who could help her?" Yates

Timothy's face clouded. "No."

recovered on her

"Yeah," Timothy said quietly.

"Your leg's not healed yet. Are you sure you should be drinking? Maybe we should just

little.

She

forget my troubles. Why are you

That's 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 won't solve your problems,

glass against Timothy's and took a

Timothy admitted after a moment. "You've got perspective. Tell me, what can I do to make her come

him up and down. "You

Timothy grumbled. "Of

her shoes. If you were

took Herbert out and someone mistook her for Henry's mother, and she didn't bother to clear it up-could