Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She always tried her best to help others within her own abilities.

"Don't worry. Everything will get better-trust me," Vince said, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Jessica nodded quietly.

Vince glanced at the sketchbook in her hands. "If flipping through that book makes you feel uneasy right now, you don't have to look at it."

"I know," she replied softly.

He gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "Try to get some rest, okay?"

When Vince left, he pulled the door closed behind him with care.

As her older brother, he'd been there through her divorce from Timothy. He knew all too well how hard it would be for her to truly forget him. Childhood affection that lingers into adulthood can root itself deep in your bones. The deeper the roots, the more it hurts to pull them out.

For Jessica, moving on and saying goodbye to the past must feel almost impossible. Even as an outsider, Vince felt a sharp ache just watching her struggle.

He wondered how much kindness and care it would take to heal the wounds she carried.

in the end, she couldn't bring herself to open it again. She slid it into her drawer and closed it, deciding

Zimmerman took her

was already by Larkin's side, and today Vince was coming

room, his face lit up, though he was

down, and

are you feeling any

You're truly the pride of the Zimmerman family," Larkin said, his voice frail but filled with

her voice -moved her grandfather

just me," Jessica replied. "There were so many people

careful not to tire him out. Since he was still so

to keep Larkin company, while Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman led

elevator doors slid open, they

was wrinkled, his stubble unshaven, and his bloodshot eyes betrayed his exhaustion; his usually handsome features

Jessica and her family hesitated. Rather than step inside, they waited for

before they could fully shut, Timothy pressed the button and opened

that his presence was enough to make them wait