Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Hello, who's this?"

"It's me, Vince."

Herbert knew that Vince had been helping Little Mute, and that the recent trip abroad had only happened because Vince arranged for a helicopter to fly her out of the country.

He had a hunch that Vince was interested in Little Mute as well, but just for that favor alone, Herbert figured he ought to show Vince a little more courtesy.

Besides, Little Mute trusted Vince.

"What's up? You need something?"

"I tried calling Jessy, but she didn't pick up. Then I found your number and you didn't answer either. I'm standing outside her apartment. Is she with you?"

Herbert hadn't really wanted to share the details with Vince, but knowing Little Mute would probably update him sooner or later, there wasn't much point in hiding anything.

"She hurt her throat. She's in the hospital right now. Just had a minor surgery."

Vince's brow furrowed. "Surgery? That sounds serious."

He remembered taking her to the hospital that day for a checkup. If she'd been feeling unwell, she would've told the doctor. The doctor hadn't mentioned anything, just gave them the medical report in case they needed it for legal

reasons.

Little Mute hadn't told anyone about her treatment for selective mutism, and Herbert didn't feel it was his place to bring it up either. The treatment had only just started after all, and it didn't seem right to talk about it yet.

just a routine procedure.

I'll

adjust to the time difference first? By the time you wake up, she'll probably be

was still bandaged up. Herbert wasn't

me your

"Will do."

was polite. "Alright, I'll hang up

for a moment before he said quietly, “Thank you for helping Little

"No problem."

the call ended, Vince left Jessica's

just in time to head to Aetherion, where he planned to visit his

Herbert entered the hospital room, Jessica was still

pulled up a chair and sat

wouldn't have told Vince

When

her, reaching out with a trembling hand, wanting to brush her cheek, to wipe away the faint

were, he figured it had happened just three days

how she'd

as his fingertips were about to touch her

advantage of her while she