Goodbye, Mr. Regret

In that moment, Timothy became painfully aware of just how much he'd failed in his role as a father.

Jessica was cradled in his arms, but she remained completely unresponsive.

She wouldn't react anymore-not to him, not to anyone.

Though Timothy and his son had hurt her in different ways, the outcome was the same: her heart left battered and bleeding.

She was done letting their father-son drama dictate her emotions.

Timothy, despite feeling for Henry, couldn't ignore Jessica's pain. Henry's public declaration that he didn't understand sign language was as good as denying Jessica herself.

So Timothy's voice turned even colder as he addressed the room. "I've watched Henry's performance from start to finish today. As his father, I have to say he's not qualified for this award. I'm pulling him from the competition-effective immediately."

With that, Timothy straightened his posture, strode onto the stage, and fixed his icy gaze on Henry. "We're going home."

He turned, and Henry obediently trailed after him.

interruption, but since the children's contest had all been organized by adults anyway, the host

smoothed things over and moved the event along

Timothy passed Jessica, he

used her voice synthesizer, he'd thought she'd finally agreed to wear the necklace he'd given her a thought that had lifted

the ring at all. Instead, a thin chain was visible around her neck. Her blouse collar hid the pendant, but Timothy had seen the Voice Emitting Necklace Herbert had once given her; it was enough to know she'd used that device

as Timothy scanned the crowd, he saw Herbert himself among the

their eyes met, the tension

the hall and headed straight for his

backseat, holding Henry close and

seat, silent and

nearly over-just the awards left.

to show her that Henry

flickering in her eyes. She hesitated, then asked

"Waiting for Jessy."