Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra could only shake her head in resignation.

Vince was just reaching the ER doctor's office with Jessica in his arms when she suddenly opened her eyes, disoriented to find herself in a hospital.

Panic flickered across her face. She quickly tugged at Vince's sleeve. "I'm fine, really. You can put me down."

"We're already at the doctor's office. Let's just have you checked out."

Jessica had barely made it home before her parents were overwhelmed with joy. If they saw her coming into the hospital now, there'd be no way to hide her cancer from them.

She had always planned to tell Vince first. Letting their parents know so soon would only devastate them-especially their mother.

Trying to sound casual, Jessica explained, "I just got a little woozy when I saw Timothy's wound. I just need a minute to recover."

It was true. She'd been through enough to understand. Some people aren't normally squeamish, but when someone they care about is hurt badly, it can trigger a fainting response. That's exactly what happened to her.

Timothy appeared just then, catching the tail end of her words. He hurried over. "Jessy, you still care about me, don't you?"

Everyone turned as Timothy approached, and the mood soured instantly.

or longing Timothy's eyes held, Jessica

even insulted her outright. Even now, he was using

words cool and even. "Mr. Lawson, can't we just put a period at the

those years were real. How am I supposed

couldn't be erased or glossed

trembled. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I shouldn't have doubted you. I shouldn't have lashed out. I never meant to refuse your calls for help that stormy night—I tried to get to you. I promised I'd file for divorce and I meant it. I just... realized there's so much we never talked about. Even if we're ending things,

spoke this much in one go. Maybe that was part of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and

past gnawed at Timothy's heart, bringing him pain and helplessness he'd never known before. It

and shot Timothy a cold look. "Timothy, do you have to cling to her like some kind of

the details of Timothy and Jessica's

He scolded Vince, "Watch your

no intention of getting back together. She went missing, her background's still unclean She was supposed to marry Yates, but ended up with you instead-this whole thing was a mess from the start. Maybe it's

Zimmerman, are you saying you want Jessy to marry

two are already divided in every way that matters. All that's left is a

did nothing until it was too late. People don't stand waiting forever, Timothy. As your elder, I suggest you see the doctor, then head home

of a father figure. Timothy,