Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She had spent years suppressing her true self-first for her adoptive parents, then for Timothy. For as long as she could remember, she'd kept her real feelings

locked away.

None of it had made her happy.

In the past, at least Timothy's kindness and care had soothed the ache inside her, making all the sacrifices feel worthwhile. He'd mattered to her, and she'd worked so hard to become the woman everyone else wanted her to be. But now, Timothy didn't want her anymore.

So what was the point of all that effort? Why keep forcing herself to fit into a mold for people who didn't love her? If he no longer loved her, then she had every right to reclaim herself. She was done making herself miserable for the sake of others. If she had to suffer, then she wasn't about to make things easy for anyone else, either.

Henry's illness was just the beginning.

When Jessica and Vince returned home, she picked up the sketchbook lying on the coffee table. Mrs. Zimmerman was still waiting for her in the living room, worry etched across her face.

"Jessy, is Henry all right?"

"It's aplastic anemia. There's no immediate danger-if we can find a matching donor for a bone marrow transplant, he'll recover after surgery."

Mrs. Zimmerman let out a relieved sigh.

heart one too many times. Yet, she was still his mother. No matter how much pain he'd caused, she could never stand

pain was something Mrs. Zimmerman

knew Jessica wouldn't confide everything in her mother-she was too worried about causing more distress. So instead, she would talk to him, and he wanted to ease her

Why don't I walk you to your room so

made their way upstairs, settling onto the sofa in her

care about your child, even after everything, doesn't make

mustered a small smile. "You always know what

the truth. I want you

it was the wounds on the inside that

I could be more carefree, like

one of your

Vince replied. "You're

sometime soon, you'll overcome everything that's holding you back, andŷou'll find

source of strength. Whenever she felt lost or helpless, he always managed to lift her

did I get so lucky to have you as my