Goodbye, Mr. Regret

As soon as Vince saw Jessica off, he jumped into his car and sped to the hospital.

By the time he arrived, Timothy was already in surgery. Standing outside the operating room was a man Vince didn't recognize.

"Were you the one I just spoke to on the phone?"

The truck driver nodded, his face drawn with guilt. "I was making a turn, but he was driving really fast-he came out of nowhere. I hit the brakes, but it was too late. He swerved, crashed into the guardrail, and then my truck hit the back of his car. I called the police right away. They've sent people to investigate the accident..."

Vince's brow furrowed with worry. The driver looked like an ordinary working man, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Just looking at Timothy's car, Vince could tell the repairs would be far beyond what the driver could afford. And now, someone was injured. No matter whose fault the speed was, the driver was turning-he was supposed to yield. He'd have to bear responsibility for that.

Vince understood how hard life was for people at the bottom. He offered some reassurance, “Don't worry too much. You didn't run you helped get him to the hospital. The authorities will figure out what's fair."

He could only hope Timothy would pull through.

When Vince called the Lawsons, the entire family rushed to the hospital.

When the truck driver saw the crowd of Lawsons pouring in, he turned pale.

Vince told him quietly, "Go find the police. I'll handle things here."

The driver hurried away, grateful to escape the intensity of the moment.

by the arm the moment she saw him. "Vince, how did this happen? How did Timothy end up in a

phone and didn't see what was ahead. I happened to be talking to him when it happened I heard the crash myself. We'll have to wait

details vague, careful not to say anything that

was already on her way to the airport, having booked the first ticket to Aetherion she could

safely, though she'd barely eaten and felt weak and

she pulled out her phone and began to

I've arrived and am heading

over the screen, tempted to write

another sentence, but deleted it as soon

several false starts, all she sent was

hospital, Timothy was

Lawsons waited anxiously, their faces growing darker with worry

the center of the Lawson family-none of them could bear the thought

Jessica's message and

your dreams. Be happy. If I ever make it to Aetherion, I'll

Jessica's phone chimed. She

the message, but after reading it, her eyes dimmed and her han lowered to her lap,