Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert stared blankly into Vince's anxious eyes, blurting out, "Left side of her

chest-pink-heart-shaped."

Vince collapsed into the passenger seat, numb with shock. So it was true. Jessica

really was his Salome his long-lost little sister.

Timothy.

Within seconds, Vince's eyes brimmed red, his fists clenched so tight his arms

trembled. His teeth ground together audibly.

Herbert realized the truth must have matched. He hadn't expected Vince to care

so much about Jessica-or to have been relentlessly asking about her childhood

because he suspected she was the Zimmerman family's missing daughter.

With guilt heavy in his voice, Herbert muttered, "I'm sorry..."

Vince's reply was hoarse, "It's not your fault. I should have known."

Just as the words left his mouth, Vince's phone rang, slicing through the tension.

He picked it up. Timothy's name flashed across the screen.

Seeing that familiar name, Vince felt a murderous rage stir inside him.

He answered.

Timothy's voice was cold and calm. "Take Salome home. The family's waiting to

bring her back."

He'd given in.

He was letting Jessica go-letting her return to the family she belonged to, letting

her go somewhere he might never see her again.

He couldn't use Jessica's life as a gamble just to patch up a marriage that was

already beyond repair.

"Vince-"

Before Timothy could get out another word, Vince's voice exploded, nearly

Timothy's eardrum. "Don't call me Vince!

that night?"

heartbeat. Vince didn't even bother

he simply roared, cursing,

need your fake concern, you

with nothing but the cold

usually the picture of composure, was suddenly in pieces.

arm, his voice raw and broken. "Turn the car around. I need to

sister."

to the chest. He spun the wheel

to

moment

the pavement, and

to catch

Vince could barely walk,

with memories-Salome, as a child, calling

that sweet, clear

only a step from the door, but it felt impossible to move

the nights she'd sneak into his bed when she was cold,

arms. "Big brother, Salome loves you

walked

"Wait for

If he got in trouble

with no dinner,

and promise

Grandpa to help.

the family discussed

have to be engaged to Yates? I

heard anyone call

"Big brother..."

before she

the first

the floor, he was the

to; chubby

like little

big brother..."

worried she'd fall, so he caught her in his arms, and she would kiss his

feather-light.

was right there, almost within reach, yet because

never realized it.

left her alone at The

trap.

only he'd realized sooner-she wouldn't have suffered like

"Salome... My Salome..."

slid from Herbert's arms