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 foreign at

it felt like

doorway. "Every year, Mom

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

find something,

early tonight. We'll have dinner

Jessica nodded.

walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, it

clothes,

was covered

stung

she did have a family who

pretended

missing, she'd always been in their

warmth seeped into the

found herself aching to see

was a mother herself, she understood at least a

your child like

out her

Vince had already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr.

the

as soon as possible.

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

the Gilded Whisper Estates.

called Yates, telling him to meet at the Gilded Whisper

Vince answered Jessica's call.

"Hey, Jess-"

then said softly, "Big

for a

just learned today that they were siblings, but

she'd always called him by his

I'm your

should start calling you that anyway. Can you send

I want to book a

Jessica couldn't wait any

see her as soon as possible-maybe it would help

a photo of your ID," Vince said quickly. "I'll

for you. You want to go

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

ID. Vince, hoping

for his assistant to book a

up to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon

car,

about?" Yates

face was grim. "Come inside. You'll find out

way over, Vince

who replied that he was

getting his injections