Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy Lawson stopped abruptly.

Vince Zimmerman had asked him for help finding Vince's younger sister, handing over the shared power station project as incentive. And now, because of Jessica Greene, Timothy was about to get on his bad side-wasn't he afraid Vince would refuse to dig up the big data he needed to track down Vince's sister?

A faint, knowing smile tugged at Timothy's lips. He turned and strode toward Vince.

"Weren't you leaving? Changed your mind already?" Vince called after him.

Timothy's gaze flicked toward Zimmerman Manor, where the house lights glowed softly. Only Vince and Larkin were home tonight. Vince had called him outside- was that really necessary?

Jessica had only met Larkin once before, and she hadn't had the chance to mention the divorce yet.

Which could only mean one thing... She'd brought it up with the Zimmermans today.

So she was inside.noveldrama

Catching the direction of Timothy's stare, Vince quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "It's late. Shouldn't you be home putting your son to bed?"

Timothy brushed past him, striding purposefully toward the manor.

"Timothy! Timothy-" Vince hurried after him. If Timothy and Jessica saw each other now, Jessica would definitely be upset.

But Timothy had already burst through the door.

"Timothy!"

Jessica and Larkin had been deep in cheerful conversation. Hearing Vince's shout, they both looked toward the entrance.

Jessica froze, her hand tightening instinctively on her knee.

If Timothy had come to find her, he'd probably try to force her to come home.

Without thinking, Jessica edged closer to Larkin, slipping her arm through his. Larkin stiffened in surprise-his granddaughter always did the same thing when she was scared.

Because of Jessica's grandmother, Larkin already felt a deep fondness for her; now, that sense of kinship only grew stronger.

Patting Jessica's hand, he said

gently,

With here, I won't let this

be afraid, sweetheart.

troublemaker bully you."

Timothy arched an eyebrow. "Did you tell Larkin I was bullying you?"

Larkin stood up at once. "Watch your tone, Timothy. Jessy hasn't said a single bad word about you. Is this how you always accuse her? You've got some nerve, barging in here after treating your wife poorly and looking to pick a fight?"

A wave of warmth surged through Jessica. When people bullied her as a child,

her grandmother had always shielded her like this.

She hadn't felt this kind of familial protection in a long time.

"I'm not here to pick a fight," Timothy said quietly.

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out two velvet boxes-one long, the other square.

Jessica recognized them immediately. She'd sold her necklace and brooch not long ago. The boxes were still in their original packaging.

Timothy opened the box containing the pearl necklace. "I'm just here to return something to her."

Larkin's eyes narrowed as he peered at the necklace. "Unless I'm mistaken, that's the Howard family heirloom. Your mother's wedding dowry wasn't it? Crafted from the pearls of a royal necklace belonging to a former queen."

"Sharp eyes, as always, Larkin." Timothy offered the necklace to Jessica. "Don't ever sell it again."

Vince stood in stunned silence. Jessica had really dared to sell Timothy's mother's heirloom?

Jessica had known the pearl necklace was valuable, but she hadn't realized it was Timothy's mother's keepsake.

Still, she couldn't let herself feel anything for him anymore.

She didn't take it.

Timothy's hand hovered, awkward and uncertain, in midair.

A heavy, uncomfortable silence settled over the room.