Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 457

"If you'd taken the time to truly understand her, wouldn't you have realized that the Grand Canal, Venice I gave your son at the comic convention was her original work? And have you ever wondered why, after seeing your son's illustration, I decided to gift you that picture in the first place? Have you ever thought about it?"

"What I never expected was that you and your son would turn around and give that piece to Sheila."

"Timothy, do you even know how much that picture is worth? It's the only completely hand-carved, relief-cut paper version of The Grand Canal, Venice in existence."

"She's never lacked the ability to make money. When I heard she only had a thousand dollars to her name, I couldn't believe it. She's the wife of the richest man in Riverside City. She's your wife, Timothy."

There was much more Ines could have said, but even this was enough to make Timothy burn with shame.

He'd actually hoped Ines would help plead his case to Jessica.

But Ines, in the end, became Jessica's advocate, trying to talk him into a divorce instead.

That Grand Canal, Venice-when Timothy first saw it, he'd assumed it was a digital print.

He'd had no idea it was entirely made by hand.

And to think she could achieve such perfection by hand.

Ines was right.

He really knew so little about her.

Timothy stayed silent, so Ines continued, "The only reason I visited your home that day was because I'd accidentally seen news of your wedding online. When I realized she'd married you, I was genuinely happy for her. I thought she'd found the right person, and that Grand Canal, Venice was finally back where it belonged. But now..."

Ines gave a bitter smile. "If I'd known how things would turn out, I should have contacted her years ago and encouraged her to pursue her career. Timothy, she gave you the best seven years of her life. If you care about her at all, please— stop trying to keep her trapped by your side. Let her go shine in the world. Please."

"If you want me to mentor Sheila, I will. I'll teach her everything I know. Just let go. Don't let the animation industry lose Jessy-a star like her."

No.

He couldn't let go.

just to buy

now,

She was his wife.

She was Salome.

he possibly let her

of everyone at his company, pouring money for ten years into developing cloud data-years of investment with nothing to show for it. Still, he persisted, just in case,

busy, and he was rarely home, but whenever he was,

Jessica never complained.

had died early. His father remarried, but never dared show affection to his new wife in front of him or Sallie. In Timothy's eyes, his father and stepmother behaved like business partners, not a married

to look like. He'd always assumed that the

thought their relationship was

even after cloud data was fully operational, it never occurred to him to use it

was Jessica's

overlapping in his mind,

he was in the wrong; he had no intention of

respectful bow. "Thank

she was

her that first opportunity.

nothing else to say. I'll take my leave now.

He turned to go.

I've

moment at the door, but didn't

in the car, he told the driver to go to

taken the

had to