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.

since the children's contest had all been organized by adults anyway, the host knew better than to argue once the family had made

his feet, smoothed things over and moved the event along to

Jessica, he glanced at

thought she'd finally agreed to wear the necklace he'd given her a thought

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

Timothy scanned the crowd,

their eyes met, the

and headed

backseat, holding Henry close and whispering

silent and unmoving, not even

nearly over-just the awards left. Jessica would be out

had to show her that

Timothy's inscrutable face in the rearview mirror, anxiety flickering in her

"Waiting for Jessy."