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.

any time. Unlike most people, she was on borrowed

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 checked out, and learn more about her condition-maybe there was

life, she was desperate to start

and a bouquet of lilies, their sweet scent instantly brightening the room. Jessica smiled as she

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

it would be too

since Jessica wasn't divorced

up with no

was

he hold back? Tomorrow, he'd

sat down beside Jessica's bed, his expression full of concern. "Are

serious, just my throat. Don't worry,"

instead. "Dr. Wheeler, would you mind stepping out for a

he