Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"—"

The words caught in Herbert's throat. He swallowed them back.

Jessica was still married. Whatever he wanted to say, now just wasn't the right time.

"It's been so long since we've seen each other. When are you coming back? I'd love to take you out for dinner, celebrate your movie in advance."

"My mom's been feeling a lot better since she saw me. She came out here to recuperate, but she says once she's back on her feet, she'll head home to Riverside. It shouldn't be much longer."

"Alright. I'll be waiting," Herbert replied, his voice bright and cheerful.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. Really. I don't have anything else—since you just met your biological father, you should spend more time with your family. I'll let you go. Take care."

After hanging up, Jessica felt a tangle of emotions twisting inside her.

She knew how Herbert felt about her.

But...

She still hadn't signed the divorce papers with Timothy.

she'd already been married, already had

was such an incredible guy-he deserved someone better, someone without her

anything outright, and she couldn't bring herself to break the

interrupting her thoughts—a number she didn't

film just premiering, maybe it was someone

the call connected, a small, familiar voice came

"Mom."

Henry?

pang shot through Jessica's

cut the call, her

other end, Henry sat frozen, listening to the

really didn't

to his side, phone dangling limply. Naylor anxiously leaned over, "Henry,

picked up. Then

were

muttering, "How could she be so heartless? Henry's her own flesh and

then, the doorbell

maid hurried to open it, and

"Phelps! Get out here!"

Larkin striding in, bristling with anger.