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 felt nothing for

her he'd even insulted her outright. Even now, he was using Herbert

gaze was steady, her words cool and even. "Mr. Lawson, can't we just put a period at the end of these

years were real. How am I supposed to just end

couldn't be erased or glossed

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, shouldn't we at

of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and

and helplessness he'd never known before. It should have been simple,

side and shot Timothy a cold look.

didn't know all the details of Timothy and Jessica's marriage,

Vince, "Watch your manners. There's no need for that kind of

turned to Timothy. "Timothy, the paperwork's done. Divorce will be finalized soon. Jessy clearly has 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

swallowed hard. "Mr. Zimmerman, are you saying

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

forever, Timothy.

a father figure. Timothy, though stubborn, wouldn't disrespect