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.

an unexpected interruption, but since the children's contest had all been organized by adults anyway, the host knew better than to argue

over

Jessica, he glanced at her once

finally agreed to wear the necklace he'd given her a thought that had lifted

turned out she hadn't used the ring at all. Instead, a thin chain was visible around her neck. Her blouse collar hid the pendant, but Timothy had seen

scanned the crowd, he saw Herbert himself among

their eyes met, the

hall and

the backseat, holding Henry

in the driver's seat, silent and unmoving, not even reaching

over-just the awards left. Jessica would be out soon. He would

had to show her that Henry would be raised

the rearview mirror, anxiety flickering in

"Waiting for Jessy."