Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy would definitely have his people watching that route-he had no choice but to get Jessica out of the city by a different road.

Vince believed Cloverdale was the safest bet. Timothy's influence wouldn't reach that far, not easily.

But Jessica wanted to leave the country.

He was determined to make that wish come true for her, to make up for the guilt gnawing at him since leaving her alone last night at The Gilded Whisper Estates.

If she hadn't managed to escape Timothy herself, who knew what fate would've awaited her?

Meanwhile, Timothy was repeatedly dialing Vince's number. Just as he lowered his head to punch in the call, he looked up-and a massive thirty-foot truck was turning straight into his path.

He slammed on the brakes and jerked the wheel, desperately trying to avoid a collision.

Vince's phone, connected to his car's Bluetooth, picked up the call at that precise moment.

"Timothy―"

A deafening crash cut him off.

Timothy's car smashed into the roadside barrier with brutal force, the impact so violent that the airbags exploded from the dash.

On the other side, the truck driver hit the brakes, but the cab still clipped the rear of Timothy's car.

Another sickening crash.

"Timothy!"

Vince's shout echoed through the car, but on the line, all he could hear was Timothy retching-a guttural, choked sound-followed by the unmistakable splatter of blood.

just

panic. That sound-twisted metal and

eyes flickered with sudden

"Vince "

hadn't called him

pain

voice, weak and dragging, left no doubt

the

Jessy... I need to tell

unfinished.

"Timothy! Timothy!"

over and over-nothing but

voice

Sir, are you

exhaled, relieved-someone

is his friend. Can you tell me where the accident

truck driver rattled

you can to get him out of the car and call an ambulance!"

Jessica, anxiety etched on his face. "Jessy,

Do you... do you

see him?"

nothing more than to get Jessica safely

down, he couldn't deny

between Jessy and vel

something unresolved.