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?"

reached out and stroked Henry's hair, her expression tender. "With you worrying

lost so much blood-how could it not hurt? Will it leave a scar? Miss Sheila, you're so elegant and

brought me some special scar ointment

of his mother, Henry's smile faded. "Mom's got

fists. Unless his mom apologized first,

it weren't for Miss Sheila

He was still angry.

going to fade anytime

up at Timothy, her tone gentle and 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

Timothy nodded. "Alright."

spate of injuries, Timothy was relieved to see

as a polite gesture. She hadn't expected Timothy to actually take her at her word and

sank all

people are at their most vulnerable when they're sick. Aren't you unwell, too? Dad should've stayed a little longer with you before

her up with a bright smile. "But don't

to Jessica's room. She was

sat down

so quiet, Jessica could hear