Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Yates Bryant grabbed Timothy Lawson by the arm. "You're really going through with the divorce? Wait, then why did you give Vince Zimmerman the documents about splitting your assets?"

Vince took the folder without hesitation.

A second later, he slammed the file against Timothy's chest. "You think our family needs your money? Do you really believe a payout can make up for what you've done to her?"

"Timothy!"

"Our family doesn't want your empty gestures!"

"I came here to tell you don't even think about dragging this out. When the waiting period is up, you're going to sign those divorce papers. No more games."noveldrama

Yates hurried over and pulled Vince aside. "What's gotten into you? Timothy's divorce has nothing to do with your family. Don't let something like this ruin everyone's relationship."

He was trying to keep the peace, still unaware of the full story. Vince didn't take offense; instead, he fixed Yates with a serious look. "If this had nothing to do with the Zimmermans, do you think I'd be here?"

"It's not just about us-it concerns you too."

"Otherwise, why would I ask you to come?"

Yates looked even more confused. "Me? How does this involve me?"

"Jessy is Salome Zimmerman," Vince replied without hesitation.

Yates froze.

Jessy is Salome...

Those words echoed in his ears, over and over.

Vince went on, “When you two were kids, your parents arranged an engagement, but back then, you didn't know what love was. Still, you and Salome always got along. As for how Timothy treated her, you know at least some of it."

"So, are you really going to tell me to keep out of this?"

Yates was stunned, unable to speak for a long moment.

Arranged marriages were outdated-he'd never accepted the idea. But that didn't mean he and Salome weren't close friends.

He thought back to all the times he'd seen Vince being kind to Jessica Greene, and how he'd always assumed Vince was trying to steal Timothy's girlfriend. He'd even lectured Vince to stay out of it.

He'd thought Timothy was their friend, that they were supposed to stick by him, that a man like Timothy could handle having two women in his life and it was no big deal.

What had he been thinking?

Yates slowly turned to Timothy. "You knew she was Salome?"

Vince let out a cold laugh. "He probably knew before anyone else. I told him about the birthmark on Salome's chest when I got back. No one else would know about it-except him."

Yates spun and grabbed Timothy by the collar, landing a punch right on Timothy's jaw.

The fabric tightened across Timothy's back, scraping his wound and sending pain shooting through his body.

Veins bulged on Yates' forehead. He didn't let go; he shook Timothy hard. "That movie I told you about-the one you wanted to give to Sheila Howard-did you know she was Salome then?"

"I knew."

Timothy didn't deny it.

Yates punched him again, harder this time. "Do you even have a conscience? She wanted to be engaged to you when she was a kid,

she wanted to be with me, and

out there making animated films too. But you never cared about her. You always put Sheila first."

Back then, they were just kids. No one really understood what it meant. They just enjoyed each other's company.

Growing up, he hadn't wanted to follow through with the engagement, but that didn't change how he felt about Salome. If she was Vince's sister, then she was his sister too.

Timothy had no way to explain.

He'd only wanted to resolve things with Sheila, to get that situation settled as quickly as possible.

But ever since Jessica demanded a divorce, everything had veered off course.

More and more people got involved, and nothing went as planned.

Just then, Yates' phone rang.

It was a call from Middleton.

He finally let go of Timothy's collar, fuming as he answered.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"We've found Salome. Phelps

Lawson still won't let her leave. Come get Timothy and meet me at Lawson Manor. Our families need to talk this out today. Salome's the daughter-in-law I picked out since you were kids-she's your fiancée! What gives the Lawson family the right to take her away from us without a word?"

Yates glanced at Vince, guessing he'd tipped off the Bryant family.

"Got it. I'll be there right away."

He snapped his phone shut. "Vince, that was you?"

Vince nodded. "My grandfather's headed over too."

Yates shot Timothy a hard look. "Come on. Let's go to your family's place. Everyone's there. It's time you gave us some answers about Salome."

Timothy pressed his lips together, his voice low and strained.

"What's left to say, huh?"

"Before you all showed up, my wife and I were fine."

"Then every last one of you decided you couldn't wait for us to get divorced."

"I signed the papers. I agreed to everything."

Blood stained the corner of his mouth, a bruise already darkening his cheek. His voice shook as he nearly shouted, "My family's in ruins. What more do you want from me?"