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.

hope, or longing Timothy's eyes held, Jessica felt nothing for him

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

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

those years were real. How am

be

help that stormy night—I tried to get to

rarely spoke this much in one go. Maybe that was part of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and every time their conversations broke

of the past gnawed at Timothy's heart, bringing him pain and helplessness he'd never known before. It should have been simple, but somehow, nothing could be

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

all the details of Timothy and Jessica's marriage,

to keep the peace between the families. He scolded Vince, "Watch your manners.

he 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

you saying you

every way that matters. All that's left is a signature. The fact

waiting forever, Timothy. As your elder, I suggest

with the concern of a father figure. Timothy, though