Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 409

Vince understood Timothy better than most.

If Sandra and Abell had actually managed to persuade Timothy to file for divorce, they would have reached out to him ages ago—asked him to get in touch with Jessica, at least. But now, with the court date less than twenty-four hours away and still no word, it was obvious things weren’t going as planned.

Larkin turned to Jessica and asked gently, “So, you’re really sure there’s no chance of you and Timothy getting back together?”

Jessica nodded.

“In that case,” Larkin continued, “once the hearing’s over tomorrow and you and Timothy are officially divorced—why not marry our Vince?”

Jessica blushed so deeply she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

She waved her hands in protest, flustered.

“You don’t want to?” Larkin prompted.

Hurriedly, Jessica grabbed a notepad and scribbled, “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

She wrote, “Mr. Zimmerman is such a good man. I’m not worthy of him.”

Vince, silently watching from across the room, caught the words she’d written.

Larkin chuckled. “You’re an exceptional woman yourself, Jessy. There’s no such thing as ‘not worthy.’ Vince has always been the more gentle one in the family, always quick with a smile. I think you’d be a wonderful match. And I know he admires you, too.”

But Jessica still felt uneasy. The timing was all wrong: she was just coming out of a marriage, for one. And someone like Vince—well, with his family, his standing, and his talents—he could easily find someone who’d never been married, someone without a child, not someone like her with so much baggage.

Larkin turned to Vince. “If Jessy and Timothy divorce, would you be willing to marry her?”

Jessica’s embarrassment deepened—she’d never even considered the possibility of her and Vince together, not like that. Besides, Vince and Timothy had known each other for years; they weren’t exactly close, but they weren’t strangers, either.

“I would,” Vince said simply.

He meant it. No woman had ever occupied his thoughts the way Jessica did. No woman had ever moved him so deeply, or impressed him so much.

So yes, he was willing. Her past didn’t matter to him. Even if she wanted custody of Henry, he’d find a way—no matter what it took—to bring the boy over from the Lawson family for her.

The mention of his granddaughter weighed heavily on Larkin. After a few moments, he sighed and announced he needed to rest, encouraging Jessica to turn in as well and get over her jet lag so she’d be in good shape for court tomorrow.

Vince walked Jessica to the guest room. At her door, he paused and said, “Jessy, don’t feel pressured. My grandfather never forgot your grandmother, and he’s always wanted to see us together. He’s just talking—he’s getting on in years, and I was just trying to make him happy when I agreed. If you’re not comfortable, I’ll never force you. Don’t worry about it, okay?”

Relief flooded Jessica’s face. She raised her thumb in a small gesture of thanks.

Vince nodded and told her to get some rest.

As soon as she stepped inside, Vince headed out again.

He needed to find Timothy.

Up until now, he’d been on Jessica’s side, yes, but he’d never made a firm decision to actively help her end her marriage. Now, he understood—there was no hope left for their relationship.

He had to see Timothy tonight.

Otherwise, tomorrow’s hearing would be a disaster.