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 was burning

he scooped her up and rushed toward his

housekeeper say you brought Mom back and rushed

in Timothy's arms-her eyes closed, her clothes drenched, hands dirty. He started to say something out of concern for his mom, but

been the one to comfort him, staying by his side all morning and into the

him any

the more his heart ached with resentment

creased. "Is it

was so much blood. Her forehead was

in the car, then

feigning concern. Timothy came over and saw that Sheila's forehead was bleeding again, and she was unconscious. His

you all idiots? Why didn't anyone call

thought since you were home, it'd be faster if

to the

second car, ordering the

them, squeezing into the car with