Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Soon, the rumble of a car engine drifted in from outside.

Jessica emerged from the bathroom, having just brushed her teeth.

Henry was standing in her room, his small face scrunched up in a look of reproach.

She glanced at Henry with indifference, then walked over to the sitting area, poured herself a glass of milk, and opened her laptop to read the script Mr. Smith had sent her.

She acted as though Henry wasn't even there.

Henry couldn't believe it.

He'd come all the way to his mom's room-and she was treating him like thin air!

Fuming, he marched over and slammed the laptop shut.

"Mom, why are you ignoring me?"

Only then did Jessica look up, meeting Henry's furious eyes.

had already made it

craft competition? I'm your son! Did you really want

weren't like this before— what's gotten into you lately? Why are you

years married to Dad, with me

it embarrassing to

out all his pent-up frustration in a single

and Timothy were now just two separate people. Once

But Henry was different.

child she'd carried for nine months, her own

was permanent, unbreakable, no matter what happened between her and Timothy. Even if they severed ties, that blood

would you have lost face? A person of integrity, who truly understands gratitude, is admired and respected by others. Tell me,

left speechless

"It's all because you're a mute! If you weren't mute, I wouldn't have let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom. Have you

Smack-

palm struck Henry's cheek, her gesture furious and resolute. "A loyal dog never despises a poor home, and a son never scorns his mother. You can make a craft about gratitude, but you're ashamed because I can't speak? What right do you have to win any prize, or care about your reputation? You'd rather have