Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Words can slip out in an instant, but if you don't speak up right away, things can change the mood, the people around you-and even if you wanted to say something, the moment can pass, and you end up staying silent.

No wonder Sallie always said people who have trouble expressing themselves tend to overthink and are more sensitive.

He'd always assumed that just because he understood the mechanics of surgery, he could communicate effortlessly with Jessica, even though she couldn't speak.

But looking back, he realized he'd overlooked her feelings far too often, hardly ever paying attention to what she might be going through.

She might not be able to speak, but she had thoughts, she was flesh and blood like anyone else.

He really hadn't been attentive enough.

He'd change that.

Yates let go of Vince and studied Timothy. "You're zoning out. What's on your mind, Timothy?"

Timothy lifted his gaze. "I've been helping Vince look for his sister lately. I think there's still a real chance we'll find her. You're always saying you hate all that old- fashioned stuff, right? So why not break off the arranged engagement with the Zimmermans while she's still missing?"

"I'd love to," Yates said. "But my dad won't hear of it. He says he'll only agree if I actually find someone to marry. If I get engaged and Salome still hasn't turned up, then he'll go talk to the Zimmermans."

"So why not just find someone and get married already?" Timothy pressed.

Yates frowned. "You make it sound easy."

"Oh, come on. If you wanted to, you'd have no shortage of women willing to marry you."

“That might be true, but I'm not about to settle just to get out of this engagement. I'm not making that kind of trade. At the very least, I want someone I actually want to marry-and she has to want to marry me, too."noveldrama

Vince couldn't help but laugh.

After all these years searching for his little sister, no one in their family took the engagement too seriously anymore. His mother had even. hinted to Mrs. Bryant that the whole arrangement could be called off. But the Bryants insisted: Yates isn't married yet, so let's just wait a little longer-what if Salome comes back?

Vince's parents felt bad about holding up Yates's life. They'd always said that if Yates found someone he wanted to marry, the engagement would be off for good.

So as long as Yates stayed single, the engagement still counted.

Both families had wanted to be in-laws for years, and they were still clinging to that hope.

Timothy asked, "What if you're still single and Vince's sister turns up?"

Yates gave a dramatic sigh. "I'll have to put up a fight, but if my parents force me, what else can I do?"

Timothy shifted uncomfortably in his chair, dissatisfied with the answer. He didn't dare press further-Vince was sharp, and the more he said, the more he risked giving away.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Yates. "Still stuck with that engagement, huh? Must be tough."

"You don't know the half of it." Yates took the cigarette and turned to Vince. "When the time comes, you'd better back me up. No one does arranged marriages anymore."

Vince nudged him, grinning. "Don't

get ahead of yourself. My sister used to say, even as a kid, she'd

never want to marry you. If she comes back, she'll probably be the first to call it off."

Yates nodded, looking pleased. "That'd be perfect."

Timothy agreed-best for everyone.

The mood shifted as Yates set aside his teasing and pulled out another file, his expression turning serious "Timothy, I've got a movie project here. think it has huge potential, but the early investment's already spoken for. I want to put in on the marketing and distribution. Would you take a look?"