Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert turned his head, his expression weary.

"Thank you," Sallie said softly.

Herbert looked away, not saying a word. He just didn't have the strength anymore.

Jessica gently pushed his wheelchair out of the room.

Henry watched as Jessica disappeared down the hallway, tears shimmering in his eyes. He wanted to run after her, but he was afraid she'd push him away.

Just then, Timothy was wheeled out.

All eyes immediately shifted to him.

He was still unconscious, drifting in a medicated sleep. But since the doctors had confirmed he was out of danger, they didn't send him back to the ICU—just a regular hospital room this time.

A nurse came over, her tone firm but kind. There were too many people crowding around, she explained, and it would disturb the patient's rest. Timothy was still under anesthesia and wouldn't be waking up soon, so they couldn't all stay in the room.

So Yates, Kane, and Vince waited outside.

Thurston, Naylor, and

and whispered, "Go tell Grandpa the good news. If he hears Timothy's going to wake up, he'll

go right now," Thurston replied,

aching. "Aunt Sallie,

voice was gentle. "A beam fell on him. It could have been

an IV. Naylor

and sat by the bed, finally allowing herself to breathe. The tension that had gripped

remembered before the surgery, Jessica had

Sallie tried to gently pry open his fist, but his grip remained iron-strong; she couldn't move his fingers at

her heart aching for him. "Oh, Timothy why are you so stubborn? If you care about

features. Jessica's attitude toward Herbert today had been so different. It was only this morning that Jessica had learned

grew. What if Jessica

given Herbert a private room to rest. After settling him in, Jessica helped him sit up against the

and quietly went

studied her face, his voice