Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy strode over and snatched the photo album out of Vince's hands. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

Vince shrugged, undeterred. "I was just showing Jessy some pictures. How is that boring? Give it back."

He reached for the album, but Timothy deftly dodged him. "Are there any photos of me in here?"

"Yeah, of course."

“I knew it. You always develop my most embarrassing shots. I don't approve of

this little viewing party-so I'm confiscating the album."

With that, Timothy turned on his heel, clutching the album protectively.

"Hey, you-" Vince started to protest.

Jessica gently tapped Vince's shoulder, then typed a message on her phone and held it up for him to read: "Let it go. There's no need to argue with him."

Vince had brought out the album because it was full of childhood memories-they all shared so many moments back then. He'd hoped to tug at Timothy's heartstrings, make him remember Salome, and maybe, just maybe, guilt him into being honest. But if Timothy wanted to take the album and reminisce on his own, so be it.noveldrama

Feeling a dull ache of guilt, Vince took a seat beside Jessica. "Jessy, I'm really sorry you've been dragged into all this because of my sister. You shouldn't have to put up with it. I'll try to talk to him."

Jessica offered him a faint smile and began typing: "It's okay. Anyway, the cooling- off period is a month. Henry broke my heart, but in the end, he's still my own flesh and blood. I can't just stop caring about him entirely."

"You're always so kind," Vince replied, visibly pained for her. "But you're the one who suffers for it."

"To me, this is nothing," she typed back. "I've been through so much already, I don't really feel it anymore. Besides, in a month, I'll be out of this house for good. It's honestly not a big deal."

Vince's expression softened. "Jessy, finding my sister has been my family's greatest wish. Thank you, truly. I can't tell you how much it means to us."

"Don't say that, Vince. I can't accept the gratitude," Jessica replied. "This whole situation is partly my fault. If it weren't for me, Timothy wouldn't have gone to such lengths to find your sister, or kept it from you."

Vince gave a small, rueful laugh. "You really do know how to comfort people. Is this how you console yourself, too?"

What else could she do? The gulf between her and Timothy was so wide. If she'd married an ordinary man, getting a divorce might have been simple. But she'd married Timothy. If he didn't want to let go, this road would be much harder for her than for most.

She typed another line for Vince: "If I didn't keep telling myself that, I'd be the one suffering."

"Jessy." Vince's eyes were full of genuine concern as he looked at her. "Remember this: no matter where you are or what you're facing, if you ever need help, come to me. I'll do everything I can for you."

Jessica smiled. “Actually, I do need your help with something.”

Vince straightened, attentive. "What is it?"

She told him she wanted to find her father. After her mother died, her father had vanished without a trace.

"Why do you want to find a father like that?" Vince asked, frowning.

It wasn't that she wanted to, exactly. She hadn't tried to find him all these years. But now, she wanted to live-to fight for her life.

She'd spoken to the doctors. There was a good chance on her father's side. The liver could regenerate; unlike a kidney, she wouldn't need a whole organ, just a piece. She knew better than to hope for much. If her father had truly cared about her, he wouldn't have abandoned her as a child. She remembered, even as a little girl, he was gone a lot-always arguing with her mother, rarely home.

Still, she wanted to try. Maybe, just maybe, he'd help her for the sake of their blood. It was better than doing nothing.

And if the hospital could find a match through the waiting list, that would be ideal. But she had to try every avenue.

Jessica hadn't told anyone about her cancer. She didn't want to worry them. So she simply messaged Vince: "I haven't seen him in years, but I want to ask him why he left me behind."

That question had haunted her for

so long. As a child, she'd seen friends like Herbert grow up without fathers, but at least their mothers had loved them. She'd lost her mother, and her father had still abandoned her. There was a time she missed him terribly.

But as she grew older, she realized he was never coming back.

"I'll help you find him," Vince promised.

Honestly, Timothy would probably have the best chance with his connections and data resources. After all, Vince's sister had disappeared at age five or six kids and it

change so much as they ret

was a long shot. But Jessica's father? That was a different story. If she gave Vince the details, he could track him down quickly.

Still, Vince wanted to handle it himself.

"Send me whatever you have on your father."

Jessica pulled up an old photo of her parents from her phone and sent it to Vince,

along with her father's name and age.

Vince studied the picture of the couple, then glanced at Jessica, a teasing note in

his voice. "How do you look nothing like your parents?"

Jessica paused, surprised, and texted back: "Really? I don't?"

"Not at all."