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.

our business,” he said, his voice low

make a public statement about the divorce. What do

they're satisfied." Phelps's voice

"Yes."

there any other

he didn't, it would

was no reason

he refused to let go now, there'd be nothing left

"But-"

no 'but.' Whatever the Zimmermans ask for, just give it to them.

his face even

of Jessy, Larkin was furious with me. He even yelled at Henry. Jessy wasn't home-she went abroad. From what Larkin said,

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

argue, but

dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and

Jessica's heart pounded the

car and stood before the front door

on," Vince

Vince and immediately opened the

followed the siblings

the house was hushed

courtyard, a fit of coughing

A woman's cough.

had to be

that unbreakable bond between mother and

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

called,

to a bedroom door and knocked

you call ahead? Come in, come in," Mrs. Zimmerman's voice floated through the door-gentle, but

and Zachary