Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert stared blankly into Vince's anxious eyes, blurting out, "Left side of her

chest-pink-heart-shaped."

Vince collapsed into the passenger seat, numb with shock. So it was true. Jessica

really was his Salome his long-lost little sister.

Timothy.

Within seconds, Vince's eyes brimmed red, his fists clenched so tight his arms

trembled. His teeth ground together audibly.

Herbert realized the truth must have matched. He hadn't expected Vince to care

so much about Jessica-or to have been relentlessly asking about her childhood

because he suspected she was the Zimmerman family's missing daughter.

With guilt heavy in his voice, Herbert muttered, "I'm sorry..."noveldrama

Vince's reply was hoarse, "It's not your fault. I should have known."

Just as the words left his mouth, Vince's phone rang, slicing through the tension.

He picked it up. Timothy's name flashed across the screen.

Seeing that familiar name, Vince felt a murderous rage stir inside him.

He answered.

Timothy's voice was cold and calm. "Take Salome home. The family's waiting to

bring her back."

He'd given in.

He was letting Jessica go-letting her return to the family she belonged to, letting

her go somewhere he might never see her again.

He couldn't use Jessica's life as a gamble just to patch up a marriage that was

already beyond repair.

"Vince-"

Before Timothy could get out another word, Vince's voice exploded, nearly

shattering Timothy's eardrum. "Don't call me Vince! Why the hell didn't I kill you

that night?"

Timothy was quiet for a heartbeat. Vince didn't even bother to confirm what he'd

just learned, he simply roared, cursing, "You already know?"

"Yeah, I know. I don't need your fake concern, you bastard!"

Then Timothy was left with nothing but the cold beep of a disconnected call.

Vince, usually the picture of composure, was suddenly in pieces. He grabbed

Herbert's arm, his voice raw and broken. "Turn the car around. I need to see my

sister."

Vince's pain hit Herbert like a punch to the chest. He spun the wheel and sped

back, racing Vince to Jessica's front door.

Both men scrambled out the moment they stopped. Vince's knees buckled as

soon as he hit the pavement, and he collapsed.

Herbert rushed to catch him.

Even with Herbert supporting him, Vince could barely walk, staggering with every

step, his mind reeling with memories-Salome, as a child, calling him "big brother"

with that sweet, clear voice.

He was only a step from the door, but it felt impossible to move forward.

He remembered the nights she'd sneak into his bed when she was cold, curling

up contentedly in his arms. "Big brother, Salome loves you so much."

When he walked faster, she'd call

out from behind, "Wait for me! Carry

me!" If he got in trouble and was

punished with no dinner, she'd sneak

him food and promise to ask

Grandpa to help.

He remembered her pouting when the family discussed arranged marriages. "Why

do I have to be engaged to Yates? I like Timothy better..."

After she disappeared, he never heard anyone call him "big brother" again.

"Big brother..."

She spoke before she walked, he

recalled the first time she toddled

across the floor, he was the one she

ran to; chubby arms outstretched,

laughter like little bells. "Big brother,

big brother..."

He worried she'd fall, so he caught her in his arms, and she would kiss his cheek,

feather-light.

She was right there, almost within reach, yet because of his carelessness, he'd

never realized it.

He'd even left her alone at The Gilded Whisper Estates, knowing it was Timothy's

trap.

If only he'd realized sooner-she wouldn't have suffered like this.

"Salome... My Salome..."

Vince slid from Herbert's arms and broke down, sobbing.

Watching Vince's grief, Herbert took a shaky breath, eyes stinging as he looked

up at the sky, struggling to hold back tears.

Vince's tears fell, darkening the dust at his feet.

She'd been the Zimmerman family's little treasure, but spent all those years

voiceless and alone.

How had she survived all those nights?

She'd finally married the man she'd adored since childhood, only to end up

suffering even more.

It was his fault as her brother his failure.

Vince pounded his fist against his chest in agony. Bam! Bam! Bam!

"Mr. Zimmerman, please..."

Herbert knelt and caught Vince's wrist.

Vince, eyes full of tears and pain, stared at the house and forced a bitter smile.

"What kind of big brother am I, letting my little sister suffer right in front of me? I'm

not worthy."

Herbert hauled Vince up, voice thick with emotion, "You didn't know. If Salome

knew you were her brother, she'd be so happy."

Inside, Jessica was searching the

house. She was sure she had photo

albums, framed pictures-she'd

never paid much attention before,

but now that she needed them, they

were nowhere to be found.

"Salome."

She turned around to see Vince and Herbert, both with red-rimmed eyes.

Before she could process it, Vince crossed the room in three long strides and

pulled her into his arms.

Softly, Jessica whispered, "Vince, I'm sorry. I can't find any family photos. I wanted

to show you pictures from when I was a child, but they're all gone."