Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's brow was deeply furrowed. He had traveled halfway across the world, injuries and all, just to clear up the misunderstanding between him and Jessica.

How had it come to this-had he really pushed her to the brink?

Problems between a husband and wife only fester and worsen when left unspoken, without honest communication.

"I came here to explain things to her," Timothy said firmly.

Vince's tone was gentle but steady, "Timothy, listen to me. Give her some time. Let her recover and catch her breath. I haven't known Jessica for long, but even I can tell she's wound tighter than a spring. She's still in the hospital, trying to get better. Her throat-think about it. How do you think she'll react if she sees you right now?"

Timothy's frown deepened.

He remembered how, that day, Jessica had actually flinched from his touch. The moment he reached out to brush her cheek, she had started trembling uncontrollably.

But still...

"Timothy, you two aren't even divorced yet, are you? There's no need to rush. You know as well as I do how much that night affected her-don't make it worse by forcing things."

Vince was trying to buy Jessica some peace and quiet.

When someone's sick, emotional stress only makes things worse. And matters between a man and a woman—if they aren't mutual, if the heart isn't in it—it can be deeply hurtful.

Timothy said nothing, lost in thought.

Vince pressed on, "Even I wanted to shake you that night, you know? Just think about how she must have felt. Why else would there have been a paring knife lying by her feet?"

off Timothy's urgent need to see Jessica. Showing up now would only

Timothy quietly hung up.

not. Truth be told, he hated the smell of antiseptic. In the end, he decided to stay

the Howard

both awake, and when they saw the state

at him with deep concern, worry etched into

Timothy really here because of Sheila, just as Phelps had

was married now, with a six-year-old son. Why couldn't he let

Downstairs, Sheila heard the

and, unable to

her eyes went widecand she

what happened? How did

nearly

was just a minor car accident," Timothy replied

accident? You call

him, but he made

late. You

long flight, and he needs to rest