Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stopped Larkin, shaking her head. "Let's just leave it. I don't want to be

tangled up with their family anymore."

The more you try to sort it out, the messier it gets.

But Larkin's jaw tightened. "If I don't confront Phelps about this, I'll never be able

to swallow my anger. Don't worry, Jess. I'll handle this. No matter what, I'll make

sure your divorce from Timothy goes through smoothly."

It was in that moment Jessica realized: having family, for a woman after marriage,

was the greatest source of strength.

Her grandfather had lost his granddaughter for so many years, and now he knew

in advance all the hurt she'd suffered at the Lawsons' hands. There was no way

The'd stand by and do nothing.

Jessica didn't try to stop him again.

Vince put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Come on, I'll show you to your

room. You've had a tough day-just rest here tonight. Let us handle the rest."

"Alright," she agreed quietly.

She was drained, physically and emotionally, from the whole exhausting divorce

ordeal. The idea of rest was a relief.

Jessica followed Vince down the hall to her room.

Stopping at the door, Vince glanced back at her. "Even though you haven't been

home for years, Mom always kept your room ready. After you turned eighteen, she

even had it redecorated."

With that, he pushed the door open.

The room was awash in soft, feminine touches-blush-pink curtains, a crisp white

bed, a neat row of plush toys lined up above the headboard. On the wall hung an

oversized photograph. There was a picture frame on the nightstand too, holding a

photo of her as a little girl.

Jessica stepped inside, her fingers brushing the frame as she picked it up.

Looking at her childhood face, she felt a rush of emotions-grief, comfort, longing

-all at once.

room didn't feel

down, it

doorway. "Every year, Mom bought you

for the season. I checked-all the sizes should fit you.

here. If you can't find something, just ask.

We'll have

Jessica nodded.

Vince left, she walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, it was

brand-new clothes,

vanity was covered with jewelry and

eyes stung

she did have a family who

pretended she didn't exist. Even

missing, she'd always been in

warmth seeped into the cracks of

aching to see

a mother herself, she understood at least

your child like

out her phone

Vince had already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr. and

was waiting for them at the Lawson

as soon as possible.

to split up-one headed to the Lawsons', the

the Gilded Whisper Estates.

telling him to meet

Vince answered Jessica's call.

"Hey, Jess-"

said softly,

for a

only just learned today that they were

of her childhood, she'd always called him by

remembered I'm

yet. But I think I should start calling you that anyway. Can

I want to book

still sick; Jessica couldn't wait

as possible-maybe

of your ID," Vince said quickly. "I'll have my secretary

for you. You want

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

texted him a picture of her ID. Vince,

for his assistant to book a flight for

to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon

his car, Yates strode

about?" Yates

inside. You'll find out

his way over,

replied that he was

After getting