Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Timothy, why don't you stay a while longer? What's the rush?"

Timothy turned to look at Yates and replied, "I don't mind staying, but let's switch places. Let's go to the lounge."

He figured Jessica had probably asked Vince for help again, and they were most likely looking for the owner of that car.

Yates had no idea what Timothy was planning, but honestly, he didn't care where they sat.

So, the two of them moved to the lounge.

They had barely settled in when Vince and Jessica walked in as well.

Yates let out a quiet chuckle. "No wonder you wanted to switch seats."

Vince and Jessica noticed them, too.

Yates glanced at Timothy, then quickly waved Vince over. "Hey, Vince! Want to join us?"

He was just trying to give Timothy a little more of a chance.

"No, thanks. I've got something to take care of."

Vince declined, almost curtly.

Yates shrugged helplessly. "Timothy, I tried for you. If Vince won't take the bait, there's nothing I can do."

Timothy didn't seem bothered. "It's fine.”

Vince and Jessica found their own seats and spoke in hushed voices.

"So, who exactly are you looking for?" Vince asked.

"The man who ruined my grandmother's life," Jessica replied quietly.

She'd never forgotten the doctor from her childhood-the one with the large mole above his left eyebrow. She'd recognize him anywhere.

Jessica explained what had happened all those years ago.

Vince's expression darkened. “What a scumbag. Cheating someone out of money for medical care? Do you have any proof?"

"I do. My grandmother kept the receipt from when she paid him. She even went to the police, but they never found him. And now, after all this time, I've actually run into him."

"Should we call the police now?"

Jessica hesitated. "Not yet. I want to be sure it's really him before we do anything."

She didn't even know the man's name yet-if she acted too soon and he slipped away, she'd never forgive herself. Not after what he did to her grandmother.

Timothy sat nearby, quietly smoking, his gaze hardly ever leaving Jessica.

Yates noticed and said, "Timothy, I honestly can't figure you out. What do you even want?"

"I just want a normal life," Timothy replied, the same answer as always.

Jessica, though-she'd changed.

If Timothy had ever wanted anything to happen with Sheila, it would have happened a long time ago. His heart and soul belonged to his marriage. Why couldn't Jessica understand that? Why did she have to make such a big deal out of Sheila?

About half an hour later, Jessica finally spotted the man she'd been waiting for- and to her shock, Sheila was on his arm, laughing as they came out together.

Vince froze in surprise.

Yates looked confused, too. Since when did Sheila have another man around? And he looked old enough to be her father.

Timothy had known Sheila for years and had never even heard of a man like this in her life.

He grabbed his cane and walked toward them.

The moment Sheila turned her head, she saw Timothy.

She'd been thinking about telling him everything, but she hadn't expected to run into him so soon.

Sheila glanced behind Timothy, spotting Yates-and, at another table, Vince and Jessica.

Timothy's eyes locked onto Sheila. Sheila let go of the man's arm and walked straight up to him.

"Timothy, what are you doing here?"

"Who is he?" Timothy's voice was low and steady, his sharp gaze fixed on the man standing behind her.

Jessica was just as curious about Sheila's relationship with the man.

Sheila dropped her eyes, her voice tentative. "Timothy, I'm sorry."

"Who is he, Sheila?" Timothy pressed, his patience wearing thin.

Jessica couldn't help but smirk. Just that afternoon at The Gilded Whisper Estates, Timothy had insisted there was nothing between him and Sheila. Now look at him he couldn't handle seeing her with another man.noveldrama

The middle-aged man had already figured out who Timothy was. He stepped

forward. “Sheila is my daughter. May I ask who you are?"

Jessica's hand slipped, and her phone clattered onto the table.

"Jessy," Vince said quietly, "is that the man you were looking for?"

Jessica nodded, her face pale.

"Try to stay calm."

How could she? Sheila had always been the thorn in her marriage. She could have let Timothy go, could have accepted his feelings for Sheila But in the end, her marriage had lost to Sheila-and now Sheila's father was the very man who ruined her grandmother's life.

Timothy looked at Sheila, completely baffled.

Sheila's voice was soft, apologetic. "He only found me recently. I haven't had a chance to tell you-or my parents. I'm sorry."

Timothy's expression was complicated. "So, you're going to acknowledge your birth father now?"

"He's been searching for me for years..."

Sheila worried Timothy would think she was being ungrateful, so she hurried to

add, "Timothy, I won't leave Mom and Dad. They raised me, and I'll always make sure they're taken care of."

But that wasn't the point. Sheila had

been taken in as a newborn by Sandra, raised as their own after Timothy's mother passed away. Sandra and Abell had poured their hearts into Sheila. Now that she'd found her biological father, how were they supposed to feel?

Timothy pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Sheila's father spoke up. "You must be Timothy right? Sheila's told me about you. You're her foster parents grandson. I know how much they've done for her. Please, don't worry―I just want to know my daughter. I'm not here to take her away from the Howards."