Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She signed, "You two go ahead and eat. I'm not hungry-I've got some things to take care of in my room."

She had no intention of making herself uncomfortable by joining them for a meal. The last thing she wanted was to sit there and watch them act so close.

Timothy's handsome features darkened in an instant.

Sheila, ever cautious, asked, "Jessica, did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me? You won't even eat with us..."

Before Jessica could answer, Timothy cut in. "You did nothing wrong. You've been helping take care of Henry this whole time. If anything, it's her—"

He shot Jessica a look, his voice low and cold. "You meet my family and can't even muster a little courtesy."

All he wanted was a simple meal together, but she just had to make a scene. It made him feel as if all his efforts for her until now had been pointless, just wasted.

"Timothy, that's not fair," Sheila interjected. "After all, you never even took her to visit your grandfather's house after you got married. I had to say I was your aunt, but we're the same age-no wonder she found it hard to believe. Most people wouldn't. You can't put all the blame on Jessica."

As she spoke, Sheila stepped over, reaching out to take Jessica's hand, trying to close the distance between them.

But Jessica drew her hand away.

Sheila's fingers closed on empty air, her smile freezing awkwardly.

Timothy couldn't stand to see Sheila treated so coldly-especially not by Jessica, whose stubbornness was wearing his patience thin.

He grabbed Jessica's wrist. "You've spent enough time out there. You're having lunch with me today. No arguments."

He pulled her along, leaving her no room to refuse. Sheila fell in step behind them.

And just like that, Jessica found herself forced to sit at the table with them.

Sheila shot Timothy a reproachful look. "Couldn't you at least be a little gentler with Jessica?"

He couldn't. He'd already been as gentle as he could, and her constant defiance only fueled his frustration. He clenched his jaw, but said nothing.

Jessica thought to herself, Of course. He always cares more about what Sheila thinks. The moment Sheila says something, he reins in his temper, just like that.

Sheila's gaze softened as she looked at Jessica. "Jessica, I tried to speak up for you. Don't take Timothy's attitude to heart. Men can be so difficult sometimes. I only just learned that Timothy never told you about his mother or her side of the family. The thing is—"

"Sheila," Timothy interrupted, "there's no need for her to know about all that."

He had actually planned to use this lunch to explain to Jessica that Sheila really was his aunt. But Jessica's attitude left a bad taste in his mouth, and now he didn't feel like saying anything more.

Back when he'd found her at The Obsidian Haven, he'd told her plainly-on the day of the school event, he couldn't reach her by phone, ran out of time, and that's why he went in with Sheila. He'd given her advance notice. If she hadn't made it to the school on time, that was her own fault, not his.

"Timothy!" Sheila snapped. "You're always like this. How do you expect Jessica to feel? Can't you just let me finish?"

Just then, Timothy's phone rang.

It was Ines.

He picked up.noveldrama

"Mr. Lawson, did you set a time with your wife yet?"

Jessica was being uncooperative lately; who knew when he'd get another chance to have her and Sheila together at the same table. He'd better make the most of it

now.