Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Herbert."

Jessica's voice broke as she interrupted him, her words trembling with emotion. "Why are you so foolish?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving the Wheeler family?"

"Why didn't you ever mention you'd spent seven years researching aphasia for my sake?"

"You came back to find me just to help me get better, didn't you?"

Herbert's eyes darkened, his expression freezing for a few seconds. Then, awkwardly, he forced a smile. "Who put that nonsense in your head? Whoever told you must be trying to upset you."

Sallie, overhearing the exchange, was completely stunned.

It was Herbert who had spent seven years researching Jessica's aphasia-and cured her?

Tears spilled down Jessica's cheeks. She shook her head. "No one told me. I saw the news about you leaving the Wheeler family. Just now, I overheard the nurses talking about the scientist who spent seven years on aphasia research. That's when I realized it was you. Herbert, you've done so much for me. How could I ever repay you?”

"Silly girl, who said you have to repay me? I'm a doctor-when I find a treatment for a disease, it's not just for you, it helps so many others. You should be proud. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been inspired to focus on this at all. Lately, I've heard from so many people who've regained their voices-thanks to you. You're their lucky star. And besides, I've won awards and my reputation's soared. Haven't you helped me just as much?"

kept trying to downplay everything, hoping

anything from her. Everything he'd done,

her eyes yesterday, when she gently wiped the blood from Timothy's lips, said it

loved Timothy, Herbert would still wish her

about possession. It was about seeing her

embrace.

like

Sallie panicked.

scales-that Jessica would choose

Timothy, she was afraid Timothy would lose

step forward,

surprise. It was

cold and sharp. "What

man like that? Herbert helped her, fine, but the Lawson family

and she stumbled