Goodbye, Mr. Regret

A chill autumn wind swept over her, soaking her through and raising a shiver of goosebumps along her skin.

Timothy looked down, unclenching his fist.

The necklace was still there, pressed into his palm—he'd only pretended to throw it away.

Her...

Something inside him felt as if it were being torn loose, a sensation that unsettled him to the core. It was a kind of panic he'd never known before. Not even when facing projects worth billions had he ever felt this way. He strode quickly toward Jessica.

She was still crouched on the lawn, hunched over, searching through the damp grass. Her hands were wet and covered in tiny bits of grass.

Timothy grabbed her wrist and hauled her to her feet. The moment she stumbled into his arms, Jessica fainted.

"Jessica!"

His voice was urgent.

"Jessica? Jessy?"

He called her name again, lightly patting her cheek, but she didn't stir.

pressed his hand to her forehead-she

her up and rushed toward

his voice. "Dad, Miss Sheila heard the housekeeper say you brought Mom back and rushed downstairs to apologize. She slipped and fell down the stairs-there's a lot of blood. Please,

eyes closed, her clothes drenched, hands dirty. He started to say something out of concern

so sad today, so hurt. Sheila had been the one to comfort him, staying by his side all morning

paid him any attention for so

more he thought about it, the more his heart ached

brow creased. "Is it

Her forehead was already

gently settled Jessica in the car,

several housekeepers were clustered around Sheila, feigning concern. Timothy came over and

you all idiots? Why didn't anyone

you were home, it'd be faster if

to

a second car, ordering the

ran after them, squeezing into the car with