Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's gaze was sharp, almost piercing, as he looked deeply into Jessica's eyes. "It's because I'm afraid of losing her," he admitted, voice low.

He had made too many mistakes.

Now, he was at a loss.

All he could do was fight desperately, even if it meant hurting himself in the process.

In the end, everyone lost.

Timothy looked away, then bowed solemnly to Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman.

"I never meant to keep this from you forever. I just hoped that by taking a roundabout approach, I could find a way to make things right with her again, bring her home myself, and deliver her safely back to you. But I've made a mess of everything. I'm sorry..."

Everything about Timothy-his posture, his words-radiated sincerity.

He was trying to change, to let go of his stubborn control.

He hoped, just once, to be forgiven.

But Jessica was unmoved.

Her face remained calm, expressionless, unreadable.

Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman looked at their daughter, searching her face, but said nothing to Timothy.

Mrs. Zimmerman stepped up beside Jessica. "We're on the fourth floor. It won't take long to walk down. Let's take the stairs."

three of them turned and

he was, defeated

ache pressed against his

without a word-just walked away- she had

for yourself, it's hard to

was so determined to

arrival had been the

forced Jessica

had been

son had needed her, she treated them

didn't need her, they were little

The knowledge stung.

yell at him, curse him,

But she didn't.

words, and only when pushed

she wouldn't even mention

she quietly bore it all on her

stepped back into the

Jessica said, "Mom, Dad, I want to visit a friend who helped me recover my voice. You two

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

told us about

Why don't you invite him over

out of