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."

No matter how he pleaded, Mabel wouldn't call Jessica for him.

Timothy glanced around at the household staff, but they all turned away, avoiding his gaze. It was clear they were afraid he'd ask them to use their phones to call her, too.

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

Timothy got up and walked into the bedroom.

Just then, his phone rang again. It was Naylor.

"Timothy, you need to come home. Henry's been crying nonstop. Dad and I can't calm him down."

"Why is he crying?"

"He tried calling Jessy. As soon as she heard his voice, she hung up on him..."

Timothy didn't even consider going back. His voice was icy. "Tell him to think about what he's done."

With that, he hung up.

The one who really needed to reflect was himself.

He wondered if she'd seen his latest post, if she could feel how sorry he was.

Meanwhile, Jessica was getting

ready for bed. Lying down, she picked up her phone and opened Twitter. The special screening of her film was tonight. Last time, the Christmas promo had trended, so maybe tonight would, too.

She'd only just clicked on the app when her phone rang.

It was Ines, her old mentor, calling right away to congratulate her.

"Jessy, I'm so proud of you! I can't believe that after all these years away from work, you pulled off something this big. I heard the. disability advocacy group is getting involved-they want to fully support your film!"

"Professor, was the screening really that successful?"

Jessica hadn't even checked the box-office numbers yet; she figured Carlisle

must have been too busy to call her.

"Yes! You're trending everywhere.

The ticket sales have already hit nearly ten million, and it's not even a weekend. Most kids haven't seen it yet. With all this buzz today, tomorrow's numbers will be even better-parents are definitely going to bring their children to see it."

"I haven't had a chance to look yet, but that's wonderful. Carlisle and the teamnoveldrama

must be thrilled."

For a special screening to reach those numbers—well, that was a real achievement.