Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He really didn't have the strength to get up this time.

He was exhausted. Everything hurt.

Ever since the car accident that shattered his leg, he hadn't been able to get out of bed. Even lying there, he'd barely rested, chasing after Jessica Greene overseas from a hospital room.

Vince Zimmerman had stabbed him once, and just a few days ago, Jessica had done it again.

Now, his back was covered with cuts from the shattered windshield.

He was tough, but even he couldn't ignore so many wounds. The pain was real- relentless.

Sallie Lawson unwrapped the takeout bag she'd just brought in. “Let me help you eat a little soup, okay?"

He turned away. "I'm not hungry. I told you, you don't need to worry about me. I just want some peace and quiet."

Sallie's tone was stubborn. "You're my brother. How could I possibly not worry? You're in the hospital. You have to eat something."

Just then, Sallie's phone rang.

It was Phelps Lawson calling.

She answered.

"I told you to come home for a family meeting. We need to talk about Timothy and Jessy's marriage. Why aren't you back yet?"

Sallie sighed. “Timothy won't come home. There's nothing we can decide without him. Are you planning to drag Jessica back into the Lawson family by force?"

She knew these discussions were pointless.

"I know it's difficult, but we still need to show we're making an effort. By the way, where's Timothy? He won't answer my calls. He needs to be here for this. The Zimmerman family is demanding a formal statement about the divorce."

Timothy reached over and took Sallie's phone, switching it to speaker.

you involved in our business,” he

you to make a public statement about the divorce. What do you

it until they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are you really planning to

"Yes."

there any other

it would destroy

could handle the pain, but there was no reason to

go now, there'd be nothing left for either

"But-"

'but.' Whatever the Zimmermans ask for, just give it to them. I'm

the call, his face

morning. Because of Jessy, Larkin was furious with me. He even yelled at Henry. Jessy wasn't home-she went abroad. From what Larkin said, it sounds like she's really left everything behind... even

his lips into a thin line. "If I were her, I might do the same. Go home, Sallie. I'm tired. I need a few days

argue, but couldn't find a single

but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince,

Jessica's heart pounded the

she climbed out of the car and stood before the front door

on," Vince

Vince and immediately opened

the

the house was hushed

a fit of

A woman's cough.

had to

that unbreakable bond between mother and daughter?

her mother-didn't remember anything at all. But Vince had told her how after she'd disappeared, their mother had fallen ill her health broken by grief, hanging

Vince called, catching

door and knocked softly. "Mom?

Why didn't you call ahead? Come in, come in," Mrs. Zimmerman's

started to cough again, and Zachary hurried to pour