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.

Jessica sat with the sketchbook in her lap, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to open it again. She slid it into her drawer and

took her children to the hospital

father was already by Larkin's side, and today Vince was coming to take over so Zachary could go

and when Jessica entered the hospital room, his face lit up, though he was so weak

bedside, sat down,

are you feeling any

much better, Jessy. I saw your movie. You're truly the pride of

everything Jessica had achieved-especially after losing her voice -moved her grandfather more than he

me," Jessica replied. "There were

not to tire him out. Since he was still

company, while Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman led Jessica toward the

as the elevator doors slid open, they found Timothy

clean clothes. Timothy's shirt was wrinkled, his stubble unshaven, and his

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

shut,

enough