Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"—"

The words caught in Herbert's throat. He swallowed them back.

Jessica was still married. Whatever he wanted to say, now just wasn't the right time.

"It's been so long since we've seen each other. When are you coming back? I'd love to take you out for dinner, celebrate your movie in advance."

"My mom's been feeling a lot better since she saw me. She came out here to recuperate, but she says once she's back on her feet, she'll head home to Riverside. It shouldn't be much longer."

"Alright. I'll be waiting," Herbert replied, his voice bright and cheerful.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. Really. I don't have anything else—since you just met your biological father, you should spend more time with your family. I'll let you go. Take care."

After hanging up, Jessica felt a tangle of emotions twisting inside her.

She knew how Herbert felt about her.

But...

She still hadn't signed the divorce papers with Timothy.

And she'd already been married, already had a child.

Herbert was such an incredible guy-he deserved someone better, someone without her baggage.

He never said anything outright, and she couldn't bring herself to break the silence either. Maybe, when the time was right, she'd talk to him openly.

Her phone rang again, interrupting her thoughts—a number she didn't recognize.

Jessica almost ignored it, but with Carlisle's film just premiering, maybe it was someone from the production. She answered.

The moment the call connected, a small, familiar voice came through.

"Mom."

Henry?

A sharp pang shot through Jessica's chest.

She cut the call, her hands shaking.

On the other end, Henry sat frozen, listening to the dead line. His heart ached.

Mom really didn't want him anymore.

His hand fell to his side, phone dangling limply. Naylor anxiously leaned over, "Henry, did you get through?"

"She picked up. Then she hung up."noveldrama

Henry's eyes were lost, wounded.

Naylor frowned, muttering, "How could she be so heartless? Henry's her own flesh and blood!"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

A maid hurried to open it, and in stormed Larkin.

"Phelps! Get out here!"

Phelps looked up to see Larkin striding in, bristling with anger. He jumped to his feet to greet him.

Naylor stood as well-Larkin was, after all, an elder.

"Please, come in, take a seat,” Phelps offered, trying to sound welcoming despite the tension.

"Don't call me that. We're not family, not anymore. Even if we were, it'd be ex-family told you last

time-publicly announce Timothy and Jessy's divorce. And what did your company do? The Lawson Group's official statement said nothing. Are you trying to pick a fight?"

"That was Timothy's doing! He didn't tell me anything. Honestly, it looks like he was just trying to help promote the film. Don't be mad, Jessy's movie is what matters here. Don't you want to see her succeed?"

Of course he wanted that.

His granddaughter was remarkable-after seven years of neglect in the Lawson

family, she'd managed to make a film all on her own.

But he'd never admit that in front of the Lawsons.

"Why does it matter if the film succeeds? If she wants to make movies, the Zimmerman family could fund her as much as she wants even if it all goes down the drain. Anyway, none of you cared about her before. Now she's finally about to make her debut, and Timothy starts this publicity charade? Doesn't your team have PR people? I never realized just how shameless your whole family could be!"

Phelps, red-faced from the tirade, pulled Henry close, seating him by his side. “Look, our great-grandson is right here. Let's not talk about these things in front of the kids."

Larkin snorted. "Why not? I'm just speaking the truth. This boy's sense of right and wrong is already twisted he should hear what's right for once. I don't care what you think. Tell Timothy to stop whatever he's doing. Don't let our Salome see any of this and get upset."