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.

and Henry

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

go right now,"

heart aching. "Aunt Sallie, why did Dad get

It could have been so much worse, but he's safe now. Don't

then, the nurse called-Henry still needed an IV. Naylor took Henry by the hand

left in the room. She pulled over a chair and sat by the bed, finally allowing herself to breathe. The tension that had gripped her heart all day slowly eased. She reached for Timothy's hand, only to find

remembered before the surgery, Jessica had pressed a ring

Sallie tried to gently pry open his fist, but his grip

heart aching for him. "Oh, Timothy why are you so stubborn? If you care about her, why didn't you say something sooner? Why did you

different. It was only this morning that Jessica had learned Herbert had spent seven years researching aphasia-all for her sake, hoping

What if Jessica chose Herbert? What would

to rest. After settling him in, Jessica helped him sit

lips were and quietly went to pour him a glass of

right away. Instead, he studied her face,