Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Mrs. Zimmerman's troubles were rooted deep in her heart; Sandra couldn't deny the possibility.

"I hope that's all it is. By the way, how have you both been lately? Are you keeping well?"

Mrs. Zimmerman never forgot to ask after them.

Sandra offered a gentle smile. "Oh, we're getting on in years-nothing unexpected. The usual complaints, but we're hanging in there. You're still so young, Mrs. Zimmerman. Please, don't lose hope. Take good care of yourself, focus on the positive, and don't let yourself get weighed down with worry. It's not good for your health."

Sandra stayed and chatted warmly with Mrs. Zimmerman for quite a while. Only when Mrs. Zimmerman grew tired did Sandra leave her room and join Abell outside.noveldrama

Vince was waiting for them in the sitting room, a pot of fresh tea already laid out. He poured them each a cup as they took their seats.

Truthfully, Sandra and Abell had come today with the purpose of talking to Vince about Timothy and Jessica. With Abell by her side, Sandra usually did most of the talking-Abell was a man of few words.

Sandra took a sip of tea, then got straight to the point. "Vince, I'll be frank with you. Abell and I wanted to ask-why is Jessy so set on divorcing Timothy? Is it really just because of... that incident?"

Vince's face darkened slightly. "What incident? What exactly have you heard?"

Sandra hesitated, shame coloring her cheeks. It was difficult to say aloud. "Abell spoke to Timothy's grandfather, and he told us everything. Timothy forced himself on Jessy. She was so upset, she's even thinking of pressing charges against him."

Phelps had seen the medical report and understood the situation even better, but out of respect for Abell he hadn't spelled out all the details. He'd only said that Timothy had forced himself on Jessica against her will, and had been so rough he'd actually hurt her. It was dangerously close to assault.

Vince's expression grew grim. "Jessy wanted a divorce even before all that happened. Afterward, it only made her more determined to leave him."

Sandra's voice trembled with anxiety. "Did Timothy do something else to hurt her?"

let

"It's complicated," Vince replied, exhaling slowly. "She wanted to leave, and Timothy wouldn't even her find a lawyer. I only got involved because I happened to run into her when I came home to collect some mementos for my grandfather's birthday. My grandfather recognized Jessy as his first love's

granddaughter and asked me to

help her out. So I found her a lawyer, and that's how I learned more about why she wanted the divorce."

Abell, listening from the side, frowned deeply. Timothy had gone too far-if you want a divorce, at least sit down and talk it over like adults. You can't just shut someone out and leave them with no options.

Sandra had always thought Timothy was a decent man, well-mannered and sensible. How could he treat Jessy like this?

Of course, she and Abell knew all about Timothy's influence-if he put the word out, no lawyer in town would dare take Jessy's case. She was all alone in the world. If not for running into Larkin and Vince, she would have had nowhere to turn, and the thought of it made Sandra's heart ache.

Timothy he was infuriating. He was dragging the Howard family's reputation through the mud by bullying a young woman like this.

"I went to see Jessy today," Sandra said quietly One look at her and I could tell how much she's been through. She wouldn't say a word about it, just looked so numb and defeated. Vince, please tell us what happened. I need to set Timothy straight, whether they divorce or not. That girl deserves an explanation."