Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He could barely keep himself afloat.

At home, his mother and father pressured him constantly. He'd thought about it too-of course he had-but compared to Timothy and Herbert, he always felt like he came up short.

All because, before he knew her true identity, he'd never bothered to build any sort of relationship with her.

Outside the doors of the intensive care unit, Sallie sat alone, her figure small and solitary, eyes swollen and red from crying.

Kane approached to comfort her. "I heard some specialists are coming today for a consult. Don't worry too much. Did they say if there's a chance he can get better?"

"Not yet," Sallie replied. "They went in to check on Timothy, and now they're in a meeting. I'm still waiting to hear."

Thurston Lawson had flown back from overseas just last night. Early that morning, he headed straight to the hospital to get tested as a potential donor.

Rebekah stopped him in the corridor. "Your uncle works in the transplant lab," she said. "I've already spoken to him. He'll make sure you don't end up as a match. When you go in for the blood test, let your uncle handle it. He'll take care of everything."

"Mom, what are you talking about? Henry's my nephew. If I'm a match and I can save him, of course I have to try."

was the pillar of the Lawson family. As the eldest brother, he'd always treated Thurston and Nola well. Their mother, too, had maintained a good relationship with Timothy over

like this," Rebekah insisted, lowering her voice. "I asked your uncle. They say donating stem cells doesn't really harm the donor, but in reality, it does leave you weaker, and there are some side effects. I'm just looking out for you. Besides, your brother injured his head-if he becomes a vegetable, you'll be the

will

flaring. "If you say that again, I'll tell Grandpa. Family comes first-how can you even think like

untouched by the cynicism of the world. He simply couldn't accept his mother's way

softening, "There are plenty of people in the family getting tested. We're all relatives, so matching shouldn't be a problem. There's no need for you to risk yourself. Just listen to

look. "I'll

it again, I

that, he stormed

only

sense at all. If Timothy recovered, Thurston would never be next in line for the Lawson Group. But if Timothy didn't make it, and Henry was left with a chronic illness, then Thurston would be

do the donor testing, completing all the necessary

the team

them, his eyes darkening with