Goodbye, Mr. Regret

No matter whom the professor chose as a mentee, as long as it was someone he had set his sights on, Jessica was always happy for him.

After all, the professor never made such decisions lightly. Anyone he picked was sure to make real contributions to the future of animation.

Timothy and Sheila were both in Capital City. Jessica hadn't really wanted to go, but with nowhere else to be and an unshakable longing to see her mentor, she found herself considering it anyway.

On the day the professor visited The Gilded Whisper Estates, Jessica couldn't muster the courage to go out and greet him.

People always want to be close to those they care about.

After a moment's hesitation, Jessica booked herself a flight to Capital City.

After lunch, Timothy returned to his room to pack his suitcase.

"Timothy, are you heading home already?" Sheila asked.

"Yeah," he replied, "I promised Jessica I'd make it up to her for missing her birthday."

Sheila felt her heart sink.

a belated birthday, a day or two won't make much difference, right?" she ventured. "I just saw that Ines is hosting an exhibition in Capital City

the exhibition. It was one he'd sponsored, so he knew about it—he just hadn't realized it was this

He paused, considering.

"Alright," he agreed.

of creating her piece, The Grand

a final push, something to tip the balance. That "push" would be

been studying animation since she was a

up her career for love and marriage. Someone who lacked ambition like that was unlikely to go

hospital stays, surgery after surgery on her vocal cords. Even when she faced the possibility that she

art made her truly

did, maybe you should call her or text her let her know you'll be

"I just told her

was only

after the exhibition, he'd only be

seemed worth

you should call anyway. Henry's still in the hospital, and Jessica's looking after him alone. As her husband, you ought to show her a little

was right.