Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila lay back down on her hospital bed and pulled out her phone to send a quick message.

Henry, noticing that Timothy was still standing in the hallway, tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Dad, aren't you going in to see Miss Sheila?"

She's hurt. You should at least check on her.

Jessica was fast asleep in the other room, her IV freshly hooked up. It would be a while before the nurse needed to change her drip.

Timothy and Henry entered Sheila's room together.

Sheila looked up as they came in, her voice soft but warm. "Timothy, Henry."

With an effort, she tried to sit up.

Timothy crossed the room in a few strides, grabbed a pillow, and gently tucked it behind her back to help her sit more comfortably.

Watching Timothy's caring gestures, Sheila felt a fresh wave of bitterness wash over her. He was still so gentle with her-yet she knew his heart was no longer hers alone.

She couldn't let things go on like this.

How could their love possibly make room for anyone else?

Once the pillow was in place, Timothy steadied her by the shoulders and eased her back. Henry leaned over the side of the bed, worry etched across his small face. "Miss Sheila, are you feeling any better? Does it still hurt?"

and stroked Henry's hair, her expression tender. "With

not hurt? Will it leave a scar? Miss Sheila, you're so elegant and pretty.

brought me some special scar ointment from overseas. By

Henry's smile faded. "Mom's got a fever.

clench his fists. Unless his mom apologized first, he wasn't

weren't for Miss Sheila keeping

He was still angry.

wasn't going to

composed. "Timothy it's not easy for Jessy to come home, and now she's sick again People are at their most vulnerable when they're ill. You should be with her. Once she wakes up, I'll

Timothy nodded. "Alright."

Sheila's recent spate of injuries, Timothy was relieved to see she

gesture. She hadn't expected Timothy to actually take her

heart sank

"Miss Sheila, you just said people are at their most vulnerable when they're sick. Aren't you unwell, too? Dad should've stayed a little

looked up at her, trying to cheer her up with a bright smile. "But don't worry,

Jessica's room. She was still asleep, eyes closed,

down at her

room was so quiet, Jessica could hear