Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica ignored Sallie and asked the clerk to help pack up her purchase and ring

her up.

As she reached for her wallet, Sallie had already fished out her credit card. "Let me get this for her," she said.

Jessica pressed down on Sallie's hand, shaking her head. Sallie just raised an eyebrow. "I'm your sister. What's the big deal if I pay for you?"

After running into Jessica today, Sallie wanted to take the chance to ease the tension between them and offer an apology. Timothy didn't want a divorce, and as his sister, she couldn't just sit on the sidelines and watch things fall apart.

Besides, Jessica was her sister-in-law; they were family. Apologizing wasn't that hard.

Jessica, at a loss for words, couldn't stop her. Sallie quickly paid for everything.

Once the transaction was finished, the clerk handed the neatly wrapped cufflinks to Jessica.

Sallie glanced at her. "Want to grab a coffee?"

Instead of answering, Jessica handed the box of cufflinks right back to her.

She'd bought them for Herbert-there was no way she'd let Sallie pay. Besides, Sallie probably assumed the gift was for Timothy, which would only spark more needless drama.

Sallie frowned. "I paid for you, and you can't even have a coffee with me?"

Jessica took out her phone and typed a message: "Timothy and I are about to get divorced. We were never close before, and now there's even less reason to be. I'll skip the coffee. Here are your cufflinks back."

She shoved the box into Sallie's arms and strode away without looking back. "Hey! Jessica, wait-"

Sallie hurried after her. "I know you're divorcing Timothy, but you're still married- aren't you?"

Jessica stopped, her fingers flying over her phone as she asked, "What is it you want to say?"

"There's a coffee shop just up ahead. Let's sit down and talk."

Jessica knew Sallie's stubborn streak. If she didn't let Sallie have her say, she'd just keep pestering her. Timothy was finally out of the picture, and now here was Sallie, clinging on-Jessica wondered if she'd ever get a moment's peace.

She followed Sallie to a café in the mall. After they'd ordered two coffees, Sallie reached into her bag and pulled out a velvet jewelry box, setting it in front of Jessica.

Sallie's tone softened, almost apologetic. "know I haven't always treated you well. I bought this necklace earlier as a peace offering. We're family-there's no need to keep fighting like this. Look at the mess at home: you and Timothy have both moved out, and no one's even looking after Henry."

Jessica almost laughed. In the Lawson family, she really did feel worthless.

It was as if she was made of stone—no feelings, no ties. The Lawsons seemed to

believe that gifts and money could buy her loyalty, could buy her life.

If she hadn't loved Timothy, if she hadn't spent all her time on the family, would she really be unable to buy herself a necklace?

Jessica made no move to accept the gift. Sallie's patience began to fray, but she held her tongue.

Timothy had already been upset netnoveldrama

with her for being too hard

Jessica. Even if she didn't care what

Jessica thought, she had to care

about her brother.

Timothy still wanted this family, so as his sister, she had to support him—no matter what.

So Sallie, uncharacteristically

patient, kept going. "You can't stay angry forever. It's been ages. Timothy never said he didn't want you. Even Grandpa and Grandma tried to talk him into settling things with you, saying he should just give you what you want and agree to the divorce. But he refuses. If he didn't care about you, he would've left you long ago! Think about it: you have a happy little family, Timothy isn't some unfaithful jerk, and your son is bright and hardworking. Most women would kill to have your life. What are you still holding out for? Going back to work-isn't it exhausting?"