Goodbye, Mr. Regret

But the anger he'd kept bottled up was now beyond his control.

His eyes, rimmed red and brimming with tears, lost all their usual pride. Swallowing his pride as the eldest son of the Zimmerman family, Vince pleaded in a low, desperate voice, "Timothy, please, just tell me. Even if you won't do it for me, do it for my mother-she's bedridden, barely holding on. Please?"

Timothy pressed his lips together, silent.

Vince's heart ached.

So did Timothy's.

But there was no turning back for him now.

"My mother always treated you well, didn't she? Your mom passed away early, and Salome loved having you around. She even asked my mom to treat you as her own son. When you were sick, when you got hurt, my mother took care of you did you forget all of that?"

He hadn't forgotten. Not at all.

That was exactly why Timothy respected Vince, why he tolerated so much.

Still, Timothy said nothing.

He'd already prepared himself for this moment.

This was the only way he could bring Jessica back into his life.

Once everything settled, he would come and confess in person.

But for now, he needed to make their marriage public-everyone had to know that Jessica was his wife.

"I'm sorry. I just don't want a divorce."

Vince saw he was getting nowhere. His anger boiled over.

After twenty years searching for his lost sister, he'd finally found out she was alive -yet Timothy refused to say a word.

It was the kind of hope that hovered just out of reach, so close you could almost touch it, but no matter how hard you tried, it stayed beyond your grasp.

It was suffocating. Maddening.

And the one standing in his way was Timothy-someone he trusted.

In the end, Vince couldn't hold back; he beat Timothy mercilessly.

He even had his men drag Timothy out of the country.

Through it all, Timothy never fought back.

If this kept up, he'd be beaten to death.

Secretary Allen, out of options, rushed into the house, shouting, "Madam! Is Madam here?"

Jessica and Larkin were both resting, startled awake by the commotion. As they hurried out of their rooms, Secretary Allen dashed to Jessica's side. "Madam, please, you have to stop Mr. Zimmerman. If he keeps going, someone's going to die!"

Jessica and Larkin ran outside, finding Vince wild with rage, pinning Timothy to the ground.

"I swear I could kill you right now! Are you going to talk or not?"

Timothy still refused to speak.

Vince's fist came down. Timothy's head snapped to the side, and he spat out blood.

Jessica saw Timothy's face, swollen and bruised, and realized that if this continued, his broken leg would only get worse.

Vince would be responsible for that!

Vince raised his fist again.

Jessica darted forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Vince from behind. "No, don't-!"

She wasn't trying to protect Timothy so much as prevent a disaster-how would they appear in court tomorrow if this went on?

Vince froze, his hand suspended midair.

Larkin rushed over and scolded him sharply. "What are you doing? How could you hit Timothy like this?"

"Je-" Timothy started to call out to Jessica, then coughed up more blood. Propping himself up, his vo

trembled with emotion. "Jessy, you... you can speak?"

Vince snapped his head around to stare at Jessica-she'd just spoken!

Even Jessica herself was stunned. She hadn't just made a sound—she'd actually spoken!

Overwhelmed, Vince swept Jessica up in his arms and spun her around. "You really can talk! Quick, say my name!"

Jessica froze, bewildered.

She'd practiced her speech exercises every day, but she'd never dared hope she'd recover her voice so soon.

"Sweetheart, this is wonderful! Come on, say 'Grandpa,' let me hear it!" Larkin was nearly in tears from excitement.

"No." Timothy, struggling on one leg,

hobbled over and gripped Jessica YoYou can talk-the first name

arm

say should be mine."

Jessica shot Timothy a cold glance, brushed his hand off her arm, then looked up

at Larkin and Vince standing before her.

She wasn't even sure if she could manage another word, but she tried: "Gra... Grandpa..."

The word was low and shaky, her voice halting, but she managed to get it out.

Then she called, "Vi... Vince."

This time, the words came out clear and fluent.

Vince hugged Jessica tightly.

Beside them, Timothy stood battered and bloodied, his face clouded with pain.

Just as the three of them were celebrating, Timothy suddenly collapsed.

The sound snapped everyone back to reality.

Larkin, unaware that Timothy had been hiding the truth about his granddaughter,

turned anxiously to Vince. "Get him to the hospital. Now!"

"Go." Jessica's voice was soft but firm.

It was still difficult for her to speak.

If Timothy wasn't taken to the hospital, how could they go to court tomorrow? And if Vince hurt

someone this badly, he'd hvert

yel

answer for it.

Secretary Allen wasted no time, helping Vince lift Timothy into the car.noveldrama

Vince, still fuming, refused to go along and left Timothy in Secretary Allen's care.

Jessica wanted to go too-she needed to see Timothy wake up.

It was only a concussion from the fight; it shouldn't be serious.

He'd wake up, and tomorrow, they'd be able to face court together.