Lost Me Gained Regret

"Yep."

Edith nodded, her gaze fixed on the screen in front of her. "My friend bumped into Bella at a party a while back, got lucky, and snagged her on Instagram. She mentioned that Bella posted something last year, something about a blessing from above?"

"What kind of post?"

Gregory furrowed his brows, sending a picture over, "Ask your friend if the girl in this picture is the one with Bella."

"Will do."

Edith quickly forwarded the picture to her friend, feeling somewhat puzzled herself. "What's so surprising about a daughter in her twenties anyway? Was she living with her dad all this time?"

"Dig around for more info."

Gregory's fingers tapped rhythmically on his desk, a sense of intuition nagging at him.

This had something to do with him or Jane, somehow.

Two years ago, she was impersonating someone in the Myers family, and now she's Bella's daughter?

Something was off.

Maybe it was time to have a chat with Bella.

Soon enough, Edith's friend, fresh off her latest stage gig, replied, confirming the girl in the photo was indeed the one from Bella's Instagram.

...

"Jane!"

Lost in thought on the couch, I was brought back to reality by Ike's soft voice, his head peeking around the corner, a bashful look on his face. "Uh, I forgot I don't have any clothes on."

"Don't worry, I'll get them for you."

Used to his way of addressing me, I lazily went to find a shirt for him. "Wear this for now, and we'll shop for more clothes soon, okay?"

Gregory looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon when I went down to fetch the clothes.

Now, with online shopping, everything was a breeze.

"Okay!"

Ike nodded eagerly, his action revealing the soap suds still clinging to his hair.

I couldn't help but laugh, halting his attempt to dress. "Hold on, let's rinse off those suds first."

After a bit more fussing, I wrapped him in a clean towel and carried him back to the living room, placing him on the sofa.

As I dried him off, he cooperated fully with putting on his clothes, suddenly tiptoeing to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Jane, why are you hurt?"

He touched the spot gently, concern in his eyes.

My heart melted a bit, but I shook my head, reassuring him, "It's just a small accident, it doesn't hurt anymore."

It hurt like hell.

Gregory, when he loved, he loved for real. But when he decided to teach you a lesson, he didn't hold back.

This injury wouldn't heal in a few days.

Looks like I won't be seeing anyone for a while.

Ike, not quite buying it, teared up, "Liar! It looks very painful, boo hoo, Uncle's a meanie!"

"?"

I was taken aback. He was supposed to be bathing; how did he know Gregory caused this? "Why would you call Uncle a meanie?"

Then I saw him wiping away his tears, indignantly saying, "Mommy said, if a girl is hurt, it's always a boy's fault!"

I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

What on earth had Edith taught this kid?

But, these lessons were all aimed at molding Ike into a gentleman.

It was clear she had her share of grievances in her last marriage.

"It's not always the case."

I smiled, grabbing my phone, and squeezed ike's cheeks

affectionately, pulling him into a hug. "Let's pick out some clothes now! And if there's anything else you

want, we'll get that too."

"Yay!"

Kids bounce back fast. The moment his attention shifted, he was up and dancing again, even including Snowy, "Snowy too!" "Arf!"

Snowy barked softly in agreement.

Two days later, Christine stormed

into Vista Town, knocking on my et

door with three suitcases in tow.

at that, made it here in record time, didn't I?"

"Super fast."

I grinned, helping her with the suitcases. "Got everything?"

The dress for Bella was already designed.

It was time to start cutting.

Christine was coming over to discuss a pop-up store in Vista Town, so I had her bring over the fabrics too.

"All set."

Dropping her suitcases, Christine kicked off her heels. "I'm dying in this heat, fetch me an iced coconut water, will ya?"

"Right away!"

Before I could even move, Ike scurried to the fridge, standing on tiptoes to reach.

He couldn't quite make it.

Christine raised an eyebrow, "This the nephew Greg's been talking about?"

I talked to her every day; she was in the loop.

"Isn't he adorable?"

I fetched the coconut water, handing it to Ike, who then ran it over to Christine with the biggest smile. "For you, my lady!"

Christine was charmed, "How sweet. You sure know how to make someone's day."

"Hehe, Aunt Jane says I'm a charmer!"

Ike had quickly become everyone's favorite, with his sweet, polite, and lively demeanor.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Christine, amused, glanced at me, teasing, "Aunt Jane, huh? When did you sneakily become Gregory's wife?"

"He's joking," I chuckled, eager to

check

exe fabrics in the largest

l

suitcase. Confirming their quality, I

moved them to my workspace.

Then Christine called out from the living room, "Jane, your phone's ringing. It's Ms. Taylor."

"On it."

I hurried back, picking up the call. "Hey, Ms. Taylor, made it to Vista Town?"