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."

of them turned and headed for the

where he

dull ache pressed

time he left her behind without a word-just walked away- she had felt

you taste someone else's pain for yourself, it's hard to truly understand what they

Jessica was

had been

but it had forced Jessica to see

been right

and their son had needed her, she treated them

need her, they

The knowledge stung.

only she would yell at him, curse him, hit him-anything. He

But she didn't.

words, and only when pushed to

even mention

she quietly bore it all

back into

Jessica and her parents had reached the car. Jessica said, "Mom, Dad, I want to visit a friend who helped me recover my voice. You two

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

us

a huge favor. Why don't you invite him over sometime? We'd love to

grandfather's out