Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's expression darkened as he shot Vince a look, then spoke into his phone. "Understood. I'll be right there."

He could guess easily enough this was probably Vince's doing, bringing Jessica in to file a report.

A chill flickered across Timothy's usually warm and handsome features, but he didn't bother to argue with Vince.

Standing up, he said, "I've got something to take care of. I'll be off."

Yates blinked in confusion. "We haven't even started dinner."

Timothy didn't look back. He walked straight out, letting the private dining room door click shut behind him.

Yates turned to Vince, giving him an exaggerated thumbs-up. "You're something else. Seriously, I don't get it-why does Timothy put up with you?"

Vince raised an eyebrow. "You mean today?"

"Not just today. I mean, even before this. Today's just weirder than usual."

Vince, for his part, didn't think Timothy's patience today was all that odd. What did puzzle him was Timothy's leniency in the past. Aside from that whole battery share fiasco, he'd pushed Timothy's buttons plenty of times.

But Timothy had never really held it against him.

For Jessica's sake, Vince hadn't mentioned what Timothy did to her last night. Instead, he changed the subject. "Tell me, what makes you think I'm trying to steal Timothy's wife?"

Yates snorted. "Oh, please. It's obvious. If you're not stealing his wife, why hide her away and meddle in their marriage? What do you want me to think?"

Vince frowned. "Did I ever say I liked Jessy?"

Yates nodded, dead serious. “You might as well have. It's written all over your face."

Truth was, Yates had barely interacted with Jessica-maybe three times, tops.

Once at a private room in Red House.

Once at the Zimmerman family's birthday banquet.

Once outside The Silverthread Eatery.

They'd hardly exchanged a word. All he really knew was that she was pretty, gentle, softspoken—a bit like Vince's kid sister, honestly.

A thought struck him, and he narrowed his eyes. "Vince, you sure you don't just like her because she reminds you of your little sister?"

Blood ties can be a strange thing to explain.noveldrama

He'd heard stories-long-lost relatives, unaware of their connection, inexplicably drawn to each other, even falling in love.

"Reminds me of my sister?" Vince was taken aback. "I never noticed. Never even thought about it. She doesn't feel like my sister to me."

Yates muttered, "Maybe I'm just seeing things."

"I've been searching for my sister for years. It's not like Timothy doesn't know that. And he knows her situation, too. If Jessica really was my sister, Timothy wouldn't keep it to himself."

Vince trusted Timothy wasn't that despicable. That was why, after seeing Jessica's condition that morning, he'd finally lost his temper.

Yates's gaze darkened. "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Why was he the only one who saw the resemblance? Jessica had already entered their social circle at the Zimmerman family's banquet, and yet no one else had raised the question.

Meanwhile, Timothy drove back to The Gilded Whisper Estates.

The heads of the Disability Support Center and the Women's Advocacy group met him at the door. Their message was clear: Timothy was being@ccused of marital assault. Out of respect for their marriage, Jessica had only asked them to help mediate a divorce, not press criminal charges.

Given Jessica's disability status, they were taking the case very seriously. They hoped the matter could be resolved quietly, without it escalating to the police. They asked Timothy to cooperate with Jessica's requests and agree to an amicable divorce as soon as possible.

"Please tell her I agree to the divorce. She can come back and discuss the details

with me anytime."

Timothy didn't protest. He gave his consent without hesitation.

This was the only way to keep the authorities at bay-and, more importantly, to

see Jessica again as soon as possible.