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.

to retrieve her phone. A thin crack had splintered across the screen. Timothy and Sheila had barely reached the driveway when headlights flashed in front of them—another car pulled up, blocking their

the horn, exasperated. Just then, Vince stepped out from his car, carrying a small case. He crossed the driveway

at the sight

"Yeah."

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

his car, but Timothy stopped

a lot of blood. Hospital first." "What

Red House, Timothy had whisked Jessica away before he'd had a chance to ask why she

grinning. "Just bought something

handkerchief at Timothy's neck was soaked through, and his lips had lost all color. Sheila urged, "Vince, hurry up and move. I need to get Timothy to

to stay conscious.

ask about

Jessica a mute, figured he must care about her a

me."

the case through the window, then drove off into