Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Because Mabel was closest to Jessica, she knew more about her than anyone else.

Mrs. Zimmerman used to love her husband deeply. Whenever she knew he was coming home, she'd transform the house into a warm, inviting place-personally picking out fresh flowers, fussing over every cozy detail. She would hand-select ingredients and cook his favorite meals herself, taking care of everything down to the smallest thing. Nothing was ever left to chance.

But after Sheila arrived, everything changed. Mrs. Zimmerman packed her bags and left. Mabel had warned Timothy again and again, but he never seemed to

care.

Mabel knew the situation well enough and said, "Sir, I can't call her from my phone. If Mrs. Zimmerman finds out I helped you call her, she might block me, and I won't be able to reach her again."

Timothy's temper flared. "Who pays your salary? Who are you supposed to listen

to?"

"Mrs. Zimmerman pays me, right on time every month. So I listen to her."

Timothy felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if he might cough up blood.

With a look of concern, Mabel helped him over to the sofa. He'd barely sat down before she continued, "Sir, maybe it's best not to bother her. Mrs. Zimmerman was never truly happy here at The Gilded Whisper Estates. She left, and you didn't even try to stop her. She's learned to stand up for herself now, and she's the Zimmermans' eldest daughter. If she's back with her own family, I'm sure she'll be much happier. Please, just let her be."

pleaded, Mabel wouldn't

away, avoiding his gaze. It was clear they were afraid he'd ask them to use their

lips. She had become so much a part of his life, woven into every little thing. Yet he'd never seen it, never

and

then, his phone rang

you need to come home. Henry's been crying nonstop. Dad and I

"Why is he crying?"

soon as she heard his voice, she hung up on

consider going back. His voice was icy. "Tell him to think about what he's

that, he hung

really needed

if she'd seen his latest post, if she could feel how

Meanwhile, Jessica was getting

she picked up her phone and opened Twitter. The special screening of her film was tonight. Last time, the

clicked on the app

old mentor, calling