Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica stared at the blood pouring from Timothy's wound, her eyes reflecting the vivid scarlet, as if the color had seeped into her soul.

More than once, she nearly reached into her purse for a handkerchief, wanting to press it against his bleeding neck.

But she forced herself to stay back.

Eleven years of love-how could anyone expect a heart to reset in a matter of hours? Even a car racing at full speed can't stop on a dime; it has to surge forward a few more yards before coming to rest.

Her fingers trembling, Jessica fumbled for her phone, but lost her grip. It hit the hardwood floor with a sharp crack.

"Timothy? Jessica? What on earth is going on in here?" Sheila's voice cut through the silence as she burst into the bedroom. Her eyes widened at the sight of Timothy's blood-soaked collar and the crimson trail snaking down his neck. In a panic, she rushed forward, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket and pressing it firmly to his wound.

Sheila's voice shook, on the verge of tears. "Timothy, what happened? Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital."

Timothy's gaze, cold and unfathomable, lingered on Jessica for a long moment. "Don't go wandering off," he said quietly. "I'll be back after they patch me up."

With that, he followed Sheila out.

He could feel the blood running down his neck, warm and insistent. There was no time to waste-he needed a doctor.

splintered across the screen. Timothy and Sheila had barely reached the driveway when headlights flashed

carrying a small case. He crossed

narrowed at the sight

"Yeah."

ER. I'm just here to see Jessica-it won't take

move his car, but

lot of blood. Hospital first." "What do you need

Timothy had whisked Jessica away before he'd had a chance to ask why

up the case, grinning. "Just bought something from her. Came to drop off the

lost all color. Sheila urged, "Vince,

vision blurred as he fought to stay conscious. "Give me the

ask about the

remembering Timothy's outburst earlier when Kane had called Jessica a mute, figured he must care about her a great deal. "Alright, you hand it

me."

through the window, then drove off into the