Goodbye, Mr. Regret

After saying his piece, Father Benedict gently gestured toward the porcelain

teacup. "The tea's getting cold, my friend. Please, have some."

Timothy finished the last of his tea, warmth lingering only in memory.

Father Benedict rose from his seat. "There's much to be done in the abbey today.

I can't keep you company for long, but please, make yourself at home. Stay as

long as you wish, and leave whenever you're ready."

"Thank you."

"Peace be with you."

With that, Father Benedict left the quiet sanctuary.

Timothy sat there for a long while, lost in thought. Before stepping outside, he

slipped all the cash he had into the donation box by the door.

Driving home, Timothy replayed Father Benedict's words in his mind. He wished

he could do as the priest advised—let go of his pain, his obsessions. But he

couldn't. He wouldn't. He'd rather drown in the ache than live without Jessica. The

pain was still something he could bear. What did it matter if life was a little harder?

He couldn't imagine a world without her.

Little did he know, worse pain was waiting for him in the days to come.

Timothy returned to The Gilded Whisper Estates.

Sallie had no way of knowing where to look for him, so she'd simply waited

anxiously at the estate. When she saw him walk through the door, she hurried

over and grabbed his arm, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. "Why didn't

you let me know you were discharged from the hospital? I tried calling you, but

you wouldn't pick up. You have any idea how worried I was? I searched for you all

morning—I was about to call the police!"

"I'm not a toddler, Sallie. You didn't need to panic."

a child, but

you just disappear and stop

I even thought you'd flown overseas to find Jessica.

chewed me

her grip and crossed

sitting across

say to

me of selective

he's not wrong. Why are

couch,

should be on my side—not sarcastic! You think

say anything about

"What did he say?"

die, it's got nothing

anymore!"

shadows settling

realized her words had gone too far. She

now. "He was just upset—he didn't mean it. You

looked out for him. He's not the

that easily."

he could've said," Timothy muttered. "He probably

I'd disappear for good."

defending himself

her lips. "None of this would've

had, we

looked up at her, his gaze steady.

to be treated that

you're blaming me for

you never

I was part of the problem,

way

to divorce you and

custody of Henry. What

what she suffered

son. That's

walk away from this

nothing, his eyes cast

bit her lip,

mean to upset

about you. I

you still

yeah, I got a

cared about

was

still hope

you really tried, maybe

back."

cared about you and Henry,

words echoed in Timothy's mind. She cared—so she was