Goodbye, Mr. Regret

None of them had ever met before.

If Timothy hadn't hidden her away, Mrs. Zimmerman would have recognized her at a glance—she would have known her own daughter instantly.

Yates could hardly describe what he was feeling at that moment.

It wasn't hard to imagine how much pain Vince must have felt after learning the truth.

Mrs. Zimmerman was still holding Jessica, sobbing quietly.

Zachary walked over and gently patted her on the arm. "You're holding your daughter too tight—let me see her too."

Mrs. Zimmerman quickly loosened her embrace, and Jessica's long lashes were wet with tears that still sparkled on her cheeks.

Jessica dropped to her knees.

"Dad, Mom, I'm so sorry. I've come home late. I couldn't be there for you, I couldn't honor you as a daughter should. You've worried about me all these years—it's all my fault."

Zachary's heart broke for her. He hurried to help her up. "Sweetheart, don't say that. It's our fault. We didn't protect you—that's why you were lost to us for so long. You must have suffered so much out there."

Jessica, tears still shining in her eyes, gave a trembling smile. "It wasn't suffering. Now that I've found you, nothing that happened matters anymore."

Mrs. Zimmerman quietly wiped her eyes.

Zachary reached out, cupped Jessica's face in his hands, and gently brushed away her tears. In the end, unable to hold back, he pulled her into his arms and choked up himself.

Vince felt a tightness in his chest, his own eyes prickling with tears.

He didn't even need to explain anything—his parents had recognized their Salome instantly. But he... he'd known Jessica for so long and hadn't realized. If he'd seen it sooner, how much pain could she have been spared?

As for what had happened between her and Timothy, Vince had no idea how to even begin telling his parents.

After a long while, Zachary finally released Jessica, and Mrs. Zimmerman quickly took her hand. "Salome, come sit with me—tell me everything about these past years. Where are your adoptive parents? They raised you so well—we have to thank them properly."

Jessica followed Mrs. Zimmerman to the sofa.

Zachary had noticed Yates standing by the door, but he and his wife had been so desperate to see their daughter that they hadn't had a chance to speak with him. He turned to Vince. "You and Yates just got off the plane. Why don't you take him to the guest room to rest?"

"Alright."

rest. As you can see, we have a lot to talk about with Salome. Once you're settled, you and I will sit down and catch up, just the two of

politely, "Thank you, Zachary. No need

over, and together they left for

sat down in the sitting area. Vince let out a long breath. "Yates, there's something I haven't told you yet. But now,

don't be

that film you said had

it everywhere. I saw the trailer—it's

was the one who

pulled out a pack of cigarettes from

doesn't." Vince

you wanted in,

unless you

the film would

day. Carlisle

and Jessy came

That's

involved. When I visited

every single

film was

shocked

was."

sorry... I had no

meeting Timothy, Yates had kept urging Vince not to

drag on his cigarette, trying to quell the

even tried to pass that film off as Sheila Howard's work. Thinking

his fists,

Vince,"

you know where Jessy got the

at him,

that money—she

seven

to Timothy. He refused

her, always

out of

to keep her quiet,