Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica held tightly to Daisy's hand as they made their way toward the exit. Outside the fence, Timothy followed, waiting for them just beyond the doors.

Daisy glanced up at Jessica. "Godmother, were you arguing with Mr. Lawson?" Jessica gave a noncommittal "Mm."

"Then I'll help you."

Timothy overheard Daisy's earnest offer, and it hit him right in the chest.

Everyone in the Zimmerman family, from the old patriarch down to little Daisy, seemed to know just how to push his buttons.

Jessica and Timothy weren't officially divorced yet, so Herbert kept his opinions to himself. He simply trailed after Jessica, ready to step in if she needed protecting.

Jessica and Daisy stepped out into the sunlight.

"Mr. Lawson."

Daisy still called him “Mr. Lawson," but the next second, she added, “Actually, I think I'd rather have Mr. Wheeler as my godfather. Or maybe my uncle. You should think about it and let someone else have the spot, so I can finally have a real godfather, okay?"

She looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "I'm really unlucky, you know. I don't have any parents, and it was hard enough just to get a godmother. I really want a godfather too. Mr. Lawson, I heard from my uncle that you started a charity for orphans. Well, I'm an orphan. Could you help me out, too?"

Behind them, Herbert nearly burst out laughing.

Daisy's words were as sweet as honey-but every one stung like a needle.

Timothy's face flushed, then paled. "If you want a godfather, I'm right here. You can call me godfather any time you want―I promise I'll treat you even better than your real dad."

want you. That puts me in a tough spot. I can't be unfair to her just because you're my uncle's friend. That wouldn't be right. So maybe

felt

them—never a kind word for him, always managing to

Jessica must have felt that day he and Sheila

at Jessica, her face impassive, as if he were

had no right to be

nothing between me and Sheila, not like

"About your father-I'll stay out of it if you want. If you need to find Mayfield, just tell me why, and I'll help you.

excited. "Jessica, you've heard from

Jessica nodded. "Yeah."

Mayfield?" Herbert frowned, clearly out of

explain later,"

she talked to Herbert, but wouldn't say a word

here, Herbert-mind your

Timothy a cool look. "He's talking to me. What's it to you? Am I not allowed to

there's nothing between you and Sheila.

felt like the

lips together, at a

finally been silenced, Jessica took Daisy's hand and left with

losing his

He'd tried everything.

Nothing worked.

immune to every strategy-soft or