Goodbye, Mr. Regret

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"You shouldn't be worrying about whether I'll agree or not. Even if I say yes,

it's pointless if Salome refuses. She just found her way back to her family, and

everyone in the Zimmerman family will put her wishes first. There's no way they'd

force her into anything."

"That's true." Mrs. Bryant muttered, patting Middleton's arm. "Salome hasn't spent

any time with Yates all these years. What if she says no?"

"Then Yates will just have to win her over. When we see her in a bit, let's feel

things out before bringing up anything official. If she's against it, the Zimmermans

will call off the engagement, and that's that."

"My dear, you always know what to do. That's exactly how we'll handle it." Mrs.

Bryant beamed and looked up front, calling out to Yates, "You know, you're just as

good-looking as Timothy, and you're just as successful, if not more. You need to

show off that charm of yours and sweep Salome off her feet. Tonight, let's not

mention the marriage at all. If we push too hard, you might not get another chance

to turn things around."

Yates couldn't help but laugh. Of course, with Salome back, this was always going

to be the outcome.

His parents were determined to see him pursue Salome, no matter what.

But as their voices faded, Yates's mind drifted, and an image of Jessica flashed

before his eyes.

What a twist of fate.

"Who would have thought Jessica was Salome all along?

People truly are strange creatures.

"When they were little, everything was so simple. They'd watch those dramatic

scenes on TV, then play make-believe at home.

Back then, the plan was for Timothy to come and "steal the bride" during their

pretend wedding.

But Timothy never showed up.

So he and Salome went through with the ceremony, just the two of them.

gone looking

even confronted Timothy, teasing him that she liked

was all just a childhood

life had turned out so much more dramatic than

childhood fantasies.

ended up marrying

about those memories now brought a strange

then, there was no talk of love just

were all grown up. Now they

to navigate the tangled web of relationships

they supposed to face this?

spun with

at Zimmerman Manor. On the way, Larkin had

dinner would be

now, the meal was nearly

out of the car, Mrs. Bryant clung tightly to Middleton's

about to meet my future daughter-in-law. I'm so nervous, my heart's

to calm me

too. My

them in disbelief and

supposed to be the intimidating ones? You

the bride herself! I've never seen

was a moment that deserved the word "speechless," this was

shot him a glare. "Excited or not, if you do your

So you'd

chimed in,

a stern look. The

practically

hopes on him.

his throat and

order you

and win

line from a TV

God, I curse you...'

he was going to

mind. He got out, opened

and

car. "It's just dinner,

If

let's eat first,

dream all you

with me? Are you making fun

look as she stepped

raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, you caught

his ear,

family walked into Zimmerman Manor

had arrived ahead of them and was

He knocked

"Jessy."

had lived

all tied

early childhood, it was only natural she still

Jessica