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.

didn't feel foreign

down, it felt like

doorway. "Every year, Mom bought you the

season. I checked-all the

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

We'll have

Jessica nodded.

walked to the wardrobe and

clothes,

was covered with jewelry and

stung

she did have a

forgotten about her or pretended she didn't exist.

missing, she'd always

seeped into the cracks of her

aching to

she understood at least a little

to love your child like

fished out her

already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr. and Mrs.

was waiting for them at the Lawson estate,

as soon as possible.

up-one headed

the Gilded Whisper Estates.

called Yates, telling him to meet

Vince answered Jessica's call.

"Hey, Jess-"

hesitated, then said softly,

froze for a

just learned today that they were

always

remembered I'm

think I should start calling you

number? I want to book

mother was still sick; Jessica couldn't wait any longer. She wanted

as possible-maybe it would help

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

you. You want to

"Yes. Tonight."

"Alright."

her ID. Vince,

assistant to book a flight

Vince pulled up to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon as

his car, Yates strode

this about?"

inside. You'll

way over,

replied that

After getting