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?"

see Jessica. Showing up now would only be an extra burden

Timothy quietly hung up.

matter whether he stayed at the hospital or not. Truth be told,

at the Howard

they saw the

meanwhile, looked at him with deep concern, worry

Timothy really here because of Sheila,

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

Downstairs, Sheila heard the

unable

she saw Timothy, her eyes went widecand

what happened? How did you get

was nearly in tears

a minor

accident? You call this

heart ached for him, but he made it sound like nothing at

"Sheila, it's late. You should get some sleep.

long flight, and he needs to