Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"I can write it. Back when the film was looking for a distributor, I already had my eye on it—it's got real breakout potential."

Yates' gaze was sharp and intense. When his eyes met Jessica's, she could feel the heat in them instantly.

She murmured a quiet thank you and looked away.

She knew about the childhood engagement-their families had arranged it long ago. She remembered they'd met as kids, but that was all; the rest was a blank. They hadn't really been in touch over the years. Yates had spoken up for her once at the Zimmerman family's birthday banquet, but that was about it.

To her, Yates was still a near-stranger.

Vince, on the other hand, she'd known for years.

After dinner, the three of them headed for the cinema.

Vince carried the film reel off to the projectionist, while Yates went to the counter and returned with a tub of popcorn and three sodas.

He handed Jessica the popcorn and one of the sodas. "Can't watch a movie without these."

"Thank you."

Another thank you. So polite. So distant.

Yates raised an eyebrow, just a little.

"You really don't remember anything from when we were kids?"

He'd kept silent for two days. It was time to do something he couldn't drag this out any longer.

His parents' wishes couldn't be ignored. Neither could his own heart.

Jessica shook her head gently. "I had a really bad fever when I was little. When I woke up, everything before that was gone."

Herbert had once performed minimally invasive brain surgery on her, but he hadn't tried to fix her memory loss. He never even knew she'd had memories to lose.

"Do you want to remember?"

Yates hoped she would. Even if those old memories included Timothy, he was in them too. The three of them had played together as children, inseparable.

If she could remember, maybe there'd be a little more closeness between them now. Maybe she'd remember the warmth of family.

She'd lost so much over the past seven years; her heart was nearly barren. She needed more love to fill the emptiness.

Jessica gave a faint smile. “Let's just leave it up to fate. Those memories were from so long ago. Even if I remembered them, I'm not sure it would change anything now."

There wasn't much point.

Yates felt a pang of disappointment.

No shortcuts. He'd have to start from scratch.

Vince rushed over. "Jessy, let's go. It's all set."

He noticed the popcorn and soda in Jessica's hands, shot Yates a look, and snorted inwardly. Stealing his job-typical.

Meanwhile, in Riverside City-

It was still morning.

Timothy stepped out of the hospital and headed to Starlight Square.

Starlight Square was owned by The Bryant Group, with major locations in city centers all across the country.

Every Starlight Square boasted a Starlight Grand Theater, the top cinema chain in the country.

Timothy rode the elevator to the

sixth floor. When the doors opened and he saw what was happening in fron of the theater, he felt something inside him crack.

Carlisle couldn't speak; he was using sign language, with a host beside him translating. Four others stood nearby, all silent as well.

They stood together, working hard to promote the film, handing out gifts to fans.

Even though they couldn't speak, not a trace of self-doubt showed in their eyes.

Just like his Jessica.

Timothy nearly lost his balance. He gripped the handrail and forced himself to steady.

Yates had been right, painfully so.

Seven years. What had he missed?

He stood there, one hand on the rail, quietly watching the scene for five minutes.

Then he pulled out his phone and called Secretary Allen.

"Buy a ticket for tonight's seven o'clock screening of 'Letters from the Fetal Sea' for everyone at the company. And if they have family, get tickets for them too. Start counting now. After the screening, I want everyone to take a picture and post a review online. Anyone who does gets their monthly bonus tripled."

Secretary Allen was stunned. Was President Lawson actually rewarding everyone

for going to the movies with their families?noveldrama

But an order was an order.

"Understood. I'll get on it right away."

"And notify all branch offices. Everyone's to do the same."

Secretary Allen wasn't sure why Timothy was suddenly doing this, but he decided

to report what had happened the night before.

"President Lawson, when you were in surgery last night, I called Mrs. Lawson. She didn't seem to know you'd gone to see her the night of the thunderstorm in Capital City, or that you bought her that brooch. I tried to explain, but she said I was rubbing salt in her wounds, then hung up and blocked my number. I'm sorry. I made her angry."

Timothy already knew Jessica didn't realize he'd gone to Capital City to save her.