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.

want you involved in our business,” he said, his

other end. "The Zimmermans want you to make a public statement about the divorce. What do you want

they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are you

"Yes."

there any

didn't, it would

the pain, but there was no

let go now, there'd be nothing left

"But-"

the Zimmermans ask for,

his face even

house this morning. Because of Jessy, Larkin was furious with me. He even

thin line. "If I were her, I might do the same. Go home, Sallie. I'm tired. I need

opened her mouth to argue, but couldn't

in Riverside City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and ates Bryant arrived at the

Jessica's heart pounded the

climbed out of the car and stood before the front door She was abou to see her mother

on," Vince

Vince and immediately

followed the

early hour, the house was

into the courtyard, a fit of coughing echoed

A woman's cough.

to be

Was it that unbreakable bond between mother and daughter? Without thinking, she dropped her suitcase and

after she'd disappeared, their mother had fallen ill her health broken by grief,

slow down," Vince called, catching up.

a bedroom door and knocked softly. "Mom? Are

Come in, come in," Mrs. Zimmerman's voice floated through

to cough again, and Zachary hurried to pour her some warm