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."

you're not a child, but you're

you just disappear and stop answering

flown overseas to find Jessica.

he chewed me

disentangled himself from her grip and crossed to

across from

did Vince say to you?" Timothy

me

he's not wrong. Why

the couch, indignant. "You're

hard time, you should be on my

say anything about

"What did he say?"

it's got nothing to do with the

anymore!"

shadows settling

finally realized her words had gone too far.

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

for him. He's not the type

that easily."

mildest thing he could've said," Timothy muttered.

I'd disappear for good."

didn't bother defending

this would've happened if we'd known

had, we never would've let her

up at her, his gaze steady. "Even

be treated

blaming me

miserable? Like you never

was part

way my

to divorce you and

of

was what

son.

walk away

nothing, his eyes

lip, then

I didn't mean to upset you.

worry about you. I stick

and you still don't back

yeah, I got

about you and

was

there's still hope

tried, maybe she'd

back."

and Henry, that's why

echoed in Timothy's mind. She cared—so she was hurt, and then