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.

hand to her forehead-she was

up and rushed toward

in his voice. "Dad, Miss Sheila heard the housekeeper say you brought

say something out of concern for his mom, but then remembered how embarrassed he'd been at the paper-cutting contest earlier because of her. The

been the one to

hadn't paid him

more he thought about it, the more his heart ached with resentment over

creased.

much blood. Her forehead

in the car, then hurried into the

concern. Timothy came over and saw that Sheila's

you all idiots? Why didn't

replied timidly, "Sir, I thought since you were

her to

Timothy picked Sheila up and carried her to a second car, ordering

after them, squeezing into the