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.

looking

teasing him

all just a childhood game-he never took

out so much more dramatic

childhood fantasies.

ended up marrying

about those memories now brought a strange

then, there was no talk of love

now, they were all grown up. Now they understood what love was, what

navigate the tangled

this? How

head spun

pulled up at Zimmerman Manor. On

to make sure dinner would be ready when they

the meal

out of the car, Mrs. Bryant clung tightly

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

to

nervous too. My

and turned around from the

the intimidating ones? You

bride herself! I've

moment that deserved

shot him a glare. "Excited or not,

you'd

Middleton chimed

stern

were practically

hopes on

throat and

I order

stops and win

a classic line from

God, I curse you...'

like he was going to

He got

door, and

car. "It's just dinner,

begun. If

let's eat first, go

you can dream all

trying to be clever with me? Are you making fun of us?" Mrs. Bryant

look as she

eyebrow. "Not bad,

reached for his ear,

family walked into Zimmerman Manor

arrived ahead of them and was standing

door. He

"Jessy."

she had lived as Jessica every official

all tied to

early childhood, it

Jessica