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

and still, he hadn't trusted her he'd even insulted

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

real. How am I supposed to just

be erased or

never meant to refuse your calls for help that stormy night—I tried to get to you. I promised I'd file for

always left things unsaid, and every time their

and helplessness he'd never known before. It should have been simple, but somehow, nothing could

a cold look. "Timothy, do you have to cling to her like

didn't know all the details of

scolded Vince, "Watch your

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 instead-this whole thing

"Mr. Zimmerman, are you saying you want Jessy to

in every way that matters. All that's left is a signature. The fact that you're here, trying

too late. People don't stand waiting forever, Timothy.

a father figure. Timothy, though