Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He looked utterly defeated-lonely, hollowed out by pain.

Sallie's heart ached for him. Shivering from the cold and her own frustration, she snapped, "Vince! Have you no heart at all? Timothy dragged himself here, battered and bruised, crossing half the country just to see her. Can't you see how much this means to him? Do you have any idea how many wounds he's hiding under those clothes? He and Jessy are husband and wife - they have a child together! Even if there are problems, even if he made mistakes, can't you give him a chance to explain?"

"Don't you talk to him like that."

Timothy cut her off, his voice low but firm.

Truth was, even before Timothy knew Jessica was Salome, he'd always shown Vince respect - never once raising his voice at him.

Sallie bit her lip in helpless anger.

But Vince felt nothing but contempt, unmoved by Sallie's outburst. "Physical wounds heal, but the ones inside? They don't. When Timothy hurt Salome, did he ever once wonder what she was feeling? However many marks he's carrying, do they really compare to what Salome's been through? Don't pretend you're the only victims here. For seven years, Salome lived with the Lawson family - silent. She wasn't mute; she had aphasia. That's treatable. Did any of you ever get her help? Did you ever care? Funny how, the second she leaves your family, she starts speaking again. Why is that, Sallie? I'd really like to know."

He turned to her, voice rising. "You're not usually quiet, are you, Sallie? So tell me - why? Was it money? Did the Lawsons not have enough to pay for a specialist? Or did you just not care enough to try?"

By the end, Vince was shouting, each word echoing in the chilly air.

And then, as if on cue, snow began to fall - soft, endless, filling the world with sorrow.

Everything Vince said was true. Sallie had no words left.

At last, Vince spat a single word through clenched teeth. "Out."

Sallie was stunned. She'd never been spoken to like this - no one had ever dared insult Timothy, either. Humiliated beyond bearing, she grabbed Timothy's arm, her voice tight with anger and defeat. "Timothy, let's go. The Zimmermans aren't going to let you see Jessy again. You two are already divorced - there's no going back. Let's not stand here and take this. Just leave it. It's over."

She was cold, wounded, and simply couldn't take any more.

But Timothy shook her off. "If you want to leave, go. But I'm not leaving until I see Jessy."

He couldn't let Jessica go.

He just couldn't.

If he did, she'd be gone for good.

"Timothy!" Sallie pleaded, but suddenly Timothy's knees buckled - he was sinking down, right there in the snow.

Sallie's eyes flew wide; she lunged to grab his arm. "Are you insane?"

But Timothy broke free, then dropped to his knees without a second's hesitation.

Sallie turned away, tears stinging her eyes. She couldn't bear to watch.

Was this really her brother?

Was this the same man - admired and envied by all - who once stood at the helm of the Lawson Group?

Inside the house, Yates stubbed out his cigarette and strode from the room.

Sallie finally stepped away, snow swirling in her wake.

She knew she couldn't change Timothy's mind.

He was already hurt enough. The

only thing left was to fetch their

grandparents - maybe they'dnoveldrama

better luck convincing him to leave.

Vince glared at Timothy. "If you want to put on a show, go join a theater troupe. Don't treat our family like your stage."

He'd known Timothy wouldn't leave.

Timothy remained on his knees, his back straight as an iron rod.

Even as the wind bit and the snow piled on his shoulders and hair, he didn't waver.

He ignored Vince's taunts, lips pressed tight, his features hardening in the cold.

"If you won't go, I'll have the guards

haul you out," Vince barked. "Is that

what you want? To humiliate

yourself? Seven years together, and

you never cherished her - now it's

over. There's no turning back Why

can't you accept that?"

He just wanted Timothy gone, before Jessy was disturbed by the commotion.

At that moment, Yates stepped out onto the porch.

The snow was coming down in thick, heavy flakes.

Timothy's shoulders and hair were dusted white.

Yates paused at the doorway, speaking mildly. "Timothy, you're not dressed for this. You should go home before you freeze."

Timothy looked up at him with stormy eyes. "When did you get here?"

"I came with them."

"You're staying with the Zimmermans?"

Yates nodded. "I'm Salome's fiancé."

Timothy's fists clenched so tightly his fingernails dug into flesh.

"She's my wife!"

Yates raised an eyebrow, his words

cool and pointed. "Salome's records

were never erased. Your wife is

Jessica. So, Timothy - who are you

really looking for? Jessica, or

Salome?"

Timothy's gaze sharpened, fixed on Yates.

Yates had set a trap - a question with no right answer.

Timothy didn't reply directly. Instead, he shot back, "So you're here to take her from me?"

Yates had once told Vince not to covet another man's wife.

But he never imagined, in the end, he'd be the one standing in Timothy's way.