Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Still, Vince didn't seem to mind; it was perfectly normal, after all.

Childhood friends, next-door neighbors.

After so many years, maybe feelings had blossomed when they were young. In its own way, that was remarkable.

"Which hospital is it? Can you send me the address?" he asked.

"Sure. I'll hang up now and send you the location," came the reply.

After ending the call, Herbert quickly added Vince as a contact on his phone. Might as well use this chance to keep an eye on the competition and stay up-to- date on his rival's movements.

Once Vince accepted the friend request, Herbert sent him the hospital's location and Jessica's room number.

Jessica finished her meal, and Herbert took the empty container, tossing it in the trash.

When Herbert turned back around, Jessica signed, "The surgery's done, and I don't need any more meds or injections, right? Can I be discharged?"

"You'll need to stay overnight for observation. As long as there are no complications, you can go home tomorrow. I can come by and change your dressing if you need."

That worked out well.

want to waste any time. Unlike most people,

to do—she needed to see Mr. Smith again and start preparing to return to work. In her spare moments, she'd have to look up the most reputable hospitals for liver treatment in the area, get herself

old life, she was desperate to

fruit and a bouquet of lilies, their sweet scent instantly

that he'd completely forgotten to buy any. He'd been

would

since Jessica wasn't divorced

had shown up with no

was

he hold back? Tomorrow, he'd bring flowers too-

beside Jessica's bed, his expression full of

my throat. Don't worry," Jessica replied, typing her response on her

more to say, but turned to Herbert instead. "Dr. Wheeler, would you mind stepping out for a minute? I'd like a private word

he being kicked