Goodbye, Mr. Regret

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, they came face-to-face with the entire Lawson family.

The Lawsons stared, wide-eyed, at the scene before them-Herbert was carrying Jessica on his back.

Phelps blurted out, voice sharp with accusation, “Jessy, I know you're divorcing Timothy, but you're still married for another week. How could you be clinging to another man like this?"

"Exactly! That sort of behavior just isn't right," Naylor chimed in stiffly.

Herbert's temper snapped. "Will you get out of the elevator already? We need to get upstairs! Timothy's gone ahead for emergency treatment, and Jessy almost passed out from the sight of his injury-I'm just helping her. You all know exactly what kind of person she is; she's been part of your family for seven years. What are you even accusing her of?"

Phelps and Naylor immediately faltered, their indignation turning to panic.

"Timothy's hurt? What happened to Timothy?"

"Come on, get inside!" Phelps grabbed Herbert and pulled him into the elevator.

The surgery wing was on the third floor. When the doors opened again, Herbert hurried down the hall with Jessica still on his back.

The Lawsons rushed after them in a panic.

They'd barely arrived at the surgical ward when the doors to the operating room swung open.

here?" a nurse called

forward, Nola Lawson close behind, anxiety written all

three were Timothy's immediate family-here today for

holding out a clipboard. Phelps and Naylor took one look at the words and immediately fainted dead away. Herbert had just set Jessica down, but she nearly collapsed to the floor herself. Nola was terrified. Both her father

The hospital staff rushed

turned to Nola. "What's your

"I'm his sister."

you need

shaking her head. "No, I can't sign

Only you can sign. Please, quickly, don't delay

Jessica. "Let her sign-she's

to take responsibility. She was terrified anything happened while her father and grandfather were unconscious or if her older

nurse thrust the clipboard in front of Jessica.

in bold print. Her vision blurred;

it really that serious? Is there any hope?" she

don't know," the

ret

being treated right now