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

up and rushed toward his

you brought Mom back and rushed downstairs to apologize. She slipped and fell down the stairs-there's a lot of

clothes drenched, hands dirty. He started to say something out of concern for his mom, but then remembered how embarrassed he'd been at the

one to comfort him, staying by his side all

him

thought about it, the more his heart

creased. "Is it

blood. Her forehead was already

gently settled Jessica in the car, then

were clustered around Sheila, feigning concern. Timothy came over and saw that Sheila's forehead was bleeding again, and she was

all idiots? Why

you were home, it'd be

her to the

second car, ordering

after them, squeezing