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."

not a child, but you're still

disappear and stop answering your phone—how could I

flown overseas to

he chewed

gently disentangled himself from her grip

across from

say

accused me of

not wrong. Why are

from the couch,

hard time, you should be on my side—not

anything about

"What did he say?"

live or die, it's got nothing to do with

anymore!"

expression darkened, shadows

gone too far. She sat back

"He was just upset—he didn't mean

You always looked out for him.

that easily."

could've said," Timothy muttered.

I'd disappear for good."

defending himself or

pursed her lips. "None of this would've happened if

we had, we never

gaze steady. "Even if she wasn't

to be treated that

blaming me

you

was part of

way my

to divorce you and

of Henry.

what

and your son. That's what

walk away from this

said nothing, his

lip,

I didn't mean to upset you.

you.

still

got a little

cared about you

why she was so hurt.

there's still hope for

you really tried, maybe she'd

back."

you and Henry, that's why she was so

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