Lost Me Gained Regret

"Don't worry about it now."

Glancing at the clock, Bella boasted with pride: "Time to get ready. Tonight, my darling daughter will be the belle of the ball."

The celebration was set in a six-star hotel in Vista Town.

The ballroom was lavish and spacious, glittering with lights, a high-class affair indeed, attended by the who's who of society.

By this time, guests had begun to arrive, entering in small groups with their invitations in hand.

Just as we reached the entrance of the ballroom, Gregory called to say he was on his way.

I hung up with a laugh, and Bella, seeing right through me, teased, "My future son-in-law is done with work?"

"Mom!" I blushed, protesting, "You just said you needed to vet him more."

Bella chuckled softly. "With how pleased you are, what's there to vet? I trust your choice. I believe the man you bring home is one in a million."

"Bella, one in a million? Future son-in-law?" Suddenly, a crisp voice came from behind.

Turning around, I saw Edith, arm in arm with Herbert, and holding Ike's hand, coming from the direction of the elevator. They made a striking pair, hard to believe they were a divorced couple.

she could

"There, there."

dress for today, chosen by Bella, departed from my usual simple style, incorporating floral elements and a one-shoulder neckline that bloomed like a flower, adorned with exquisite embroidery. It was too delicate to

in a suit, seemed

came uninvited, but there are things I need to say to you in

waiting for Bella to reply, and ignoring the passing guests, he declared, "You don't have to worry about dragging me down anymore. The Taylor family is under my charge now. I can take care

to see Bella struggling to hold back tears, she mockingly retorted, "Back when you couldn't even change your diapers without crying for me,

into laughter, almost

of his past, but instead looked earnestly at Bella, "Are you

and I shifted our gaze back to Herbert, I smiled. "Uncle, mom has never been

was taken aback, "What did you

help but laugh again, "Let's go to

who wished to network with Bella hesitated upon seeing Herbert, a figure of authority, and did not dare to

and

head of the Taylor family, was overwhelmed with emotion and handed me a black card, "I didn't prepare a welcome gift for you; feel free to use this

card, I was

gift. This black card alone could easily cover

are you thanking

meant to include your mother and you. This is nothing. From now on, the Taylor family will be you