Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"I just wanted to check on him. As for anything I needed to say, I already said it when he came out of surgery."

Sallie stared at Jessica, barely able to fathom how the woman who used to have eyes only for Timothy could now seem so indifferent.

"Are you really giving up on him?"

"I'm giving up on the marriage, not his life. Of course I don't want anything to happen to him. But at this point, only the doctors can bring him back-not me."

Sallie's voice trembled with desperation. "Jessy, he doesn't want a divorce. Please don't say things like this. If he hears you, it'll break his heart. Can't you give him a bit of hope, just for now?"

Jessica went quiet for a long moment before finally replying, "If he dies, then I suppose I'll truly be free."

"You-!"

The ICU was eerily silent.

Sallie fumed, but didn't dare raise her voice.

How could Jessica say such a thing-almost wishing for Timothy's death?

Her heart aching, Sallie glanced over at Timothy, only to suddenly notice the fingers of his right hand twitch.

Her eyes widened. She gasped, "He moved! He moved! Doctor, he moved—!"

Without another thought, Sallie rushed out to find help.

as his ring

old saying that the ring finger

it really his heart

chest tightened

harsh words on purpose, hoping

saw tears glistening

He'd heard her.

He was aware.

why couldn't he wake

Timothy's attending physician came in

examining Timothy, the doctor said, "The prognosis matches what our specialists predicted. There's a real chance he could regain.

the operation-please, do it. I agree, just...

hours ended, and a nurse came to tell Sallie and

out, Thurston was already

Grandpa both want to go ahead with the

surgery. It's his

surgical consent form, handing it

long after, Timothy was wheeled from the

two nurses.

group followed

Herbert if she could go into the operating room

impossible. Family members in the

was about to be taken in, Sallie stopped the nurse, wanting one last look