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 headed

where he was,

ache pressed against his

behind without a

how people are. Until you taste someone else's pain for yourself, it's hard to truly understand what

could finally see why Jessica was so determined to end

had been the

had forced Jessica to see just

been right all

son had needed her, she treated them like

they didn't need her, they were little more

The knowledge stung.

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

But she didn't.

few words, and

she wouldn't even mention it

quietly bore it

stepped back into the

Dad, I want

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

told us about

Why don't you invite him over sometime? We'd love to thank

out