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 for Timothy

even confronted Timothy, teasing him

childhood

turned out so much more dramatic than any

childhood fantasies.

up marrying

brought a strange

then, there was no talk of

now, they were all grown up. Now they

the tangled web of relationships and

were they supposed to face this? How were they

spun with

at Zimmerman Manor. On the way, Larkin had

dinner would be ready

the meal

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

future daughter-in-law. I'm so nervous, my

something to calm

nervous too.

them in disbelief and turned around

the intimidating ones? You two are more

than the bride herself! I've never seen future in-laws

a moment that deserved the

or not, if

you'd better step

chimed in,

a stern look. The two

were practically

on

throat

I order you to pulbout

and win Salome's

note: Suddenly reminded of a classic line from a TV show 'In the

I curse

like he was going to

got out,

door, and helped

car. "It's just

barely begun. If

let's eat first,

dream all you

be clever with me? Are you making

as she stepped

eyebrow. "Not

his ear, but

family walked into Zimmerman

ahead of them

He

"Jessy."

lived

tied

it was only natural she still answered

Jessica