Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"If you'd taken the time to truly understand her, wouldn't you have realized that the Grand Canal, Venice I gave your son at the comic convention was her original work? And have you ever wondered why, after seeing your son's illustration, I decided to gift you that picture in the first place? Have you ever thought about it?"

"What I never expected was that you and your son would turn around and give that piece to Sheila."

"Timothy, do you even know how much that picture is worth? It's the only completely hand-carved, relief-cut paper version of The Grand Canal, Venice in existence."

"She's never lacked the ability to make money. When I heard she only had a thousand dollars to her name, I couldn't believe it. She's the wife of the richest man in Riverside City. She's your wife, Timothy."

There was much more Ines could have said, but even this was enough to make Timothy burn with shame.

He'd actually hoped Ines would help plead his case to Jessica.

But Ines, in the end, became Jessica's advocate, trying to talk him into a divorce instead.

That Grand Canal, Venice-when Timothy first saw it, he'd assumed it was a digital print.

He'd had no idea it was entirely made by hand.

And to think she could achieve such perfection by hand.

Ines was right.

He really knew so little about her.

Timothy stayed silent, so Ines continued, "The only reason I visited your home that day was because I'd accidentally seen news of your wedding online. When I realized she'd married you, I was genuinely happy for her. I thought she'd found the right person, and that Grand Canal, Venice was finally back where it belonged. But now..."

Ines gave a bitter smile. "If I'd known how things would turn out, I should have contacted her years ago and encouraged her to pursue her career. Timothy, she gave you the best seven years of her life. If you care about her at all, please— stop trying to keep her trapped by your side. Let her go shine in the world. Please."

"If you want me to mentor Sheila, I will. I'll teach her everything I know. Just let go. Don't let the animation industry lose Jessy-a star like her."

No.

He couldn't let go.

He'd risked so much just to buy himself a month's reprieve.

If he let go now, she might never come back.

She was his wife.

She was Salome.

How could he possibly let her go?

He'd once ignored the objections of everyone at his company, pouring money for ten years into developing cloud data-years of investment with nothing to show for it. Still, he persisted, just in case, one day, it could help him find Salome. But then, he got married.

He'd been faithful to their marriage. Work kept him busy, and he was rarely home, but whenever he was, he tried to fulfill his duties as a husband.

Jessica never complained.

His own mother had died early. His father remarried, but never dared show affection to his new wife in front of him or Sallie. In Timothy's eyes, his father and stepmother behaved like business partners, not a married couple.

He had no idea what marriage was supposed to look like. He'd always assumed that the way he and Jessica lived was what marriage ought to be.

He thought their relationship was rock solid.

So even after cloud data was fully operational, it never occurred to him to use it to find Salome.

He was Jessica's husband now.

But now, with both women's images overlapping in his mind, how could he let go?

Timothy knew he was in the wrong; he had no intention of arguing with Ines.

He stood, gave Ines a respectful bow. "Thank you for recognizing ber

talent when she was sixteen, for

giving her that first opportunity. I

have nothing else to say. I'll take my leave now. Goodbye."

He turned to go.

Ines stood too, calling after him, "After all I've said, you're really not going to change your mind?"

Timothy paused for a moment at the door, but didn't look back. He strode away.

Back in the car, he told the driver to go to Sheila's place.

After Sheila moved out, she'd taken the Grand Canal, Venice with her.

He had to get it back.

No matter how much he'd offered, Ines had never been willing to sell him the picture. But after seeing Henry's paper-cut illustration, she'd handed it over, free of charge.

Timothy let out a long, shaky breath. Regret clawed at him.

It was so obvious.

Just as Ines said-if he'd only paid a little more attention, cared a little more, he should've known.

But he hadn't.

Later, when Ines finally met her, all she wanted was for Jessica to

pursue her own career. But Timothy for Sheila's sake, hed stood in her way he'd even accused Jessica of being manipulative, of deliberately showing off her talents just when he was paving the way for Sheila.

He'd misunderstood her so terribly.

And yet, she'd never once tried to explain herself.

Maybe it was then that her heart turned cold.

Maybe... even earlier.noveldrama

After the first time she ran away from home, he'd never stopped to consider what was wrong between them He'd just assumed she'd come back that she could never leave him and their son.

All this time.

What had he been doing?

That calm, steady heart of his suddenly began to panic.

When he reached Sheila's apartment, he pressed the doorbell.