Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's gaze darkened as he shot Vince a look, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold, mocking smile. "Relax. I'll get you that data as soon as possible."

With that, he started the engine and drove off.

The smile on Vince's face vanished instantly.

He knew exactly what Timothy had meant.

Vince stood at the door for a moment, lost in thought before finally heading back into the house.

Jessica was just about ready to leave. Larkin asked Vince to give her a ride home.

Before Jessica left, Larkin pulled her aside. "Sweetheart, if you ever need anything, you can come to me or to Vince. And think about this: let me make you my goddaughter. If you become part of the Zimmerman family, people will have to show you some respect. No one will dare look down on you."

Larkin, it seemed, still refused to let go of the idea.

But Jessica felt the same as before. She didn't have much time left; she didn't want anyone else getting emotionally involved. Larkin was so earnest that she couldn't bring herself to refuse directly. Instead, she typed a message on her phone and showed it to him: "Larkin, thank you. You've already done so much for me. I'll think about it."noveldrama

"That's all right. It's getting late-go on, get some rest."

Jessica bowed slightly to Larkin, a gesture of respect, then headed out.

As the car pulled up to her apartment complex, Jessica typed another message on her phone and handed it to Vince: "Mr. Zimmerman, both you and your grandfather have been wonderful to me. But after my divorce from Timothy, I just want to get back to my own life, away from his world. I really can't be Larkin's goddaughter. Could you please talk to him and help him let go of the idea? If I refuse him to his face, I'm afraid I'll hurt his feelings."

Vince looked at Jessica, his expression earnest. "There's something you should know."

He paused. "When Timothy's mother was pregnant with him and his sister, the doctors discovered she had uterine cancer. The only way to save her would have been surgery, but she refused-for the kids' sake. She knew giving birth meant she wouldn't survive. Before she died, she left a lot behind for Timothy and Sallie: diaries, gifts, even video messages, so she could be with them as they grew up. Timothy treasures those things more than anything. For him to give you something of hers-let alone watch you sell it and not get angry-it means something. He..."

Vince trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Jessica understood what he meant. He thought Timothy must care about her.

But what they didn't understand was that the biggest problem between her and Timothy was the person who stood between them-someone Timothy's heart truly belonged to.

If she hadn't known, maybe she would have been moved.

She typed another message: "There's no way our marriage can go on..."

Vince's voice was low and steady. "If you're really set on divorce, I'll help you."

She replied with a single word: "Divorce."

"All right. I'll bring my attorney to see you tomorrow."

Jessica got out of the car and waved goodbye. After Vince drove away, she let out

a long, exhausted breath.

At last, someone was willing to represent her.

Tomorrow she'd meet the lawyer, and in the afternoon, she wanted to set up a meeting with Ines and Mr. Smith.

She was determined to fight for the role.

As she walked, Jessica texted Ines.

Ines replied almost immediately:

[I'll set up a time with Mr. Smith right away.]

Jessica reached her apartment building, unlocked the door, and had barely

stepped inside when a tall figure appeared behind her, an arm snaking around her waist, guiding her inside.