Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She'd been having a nightmare, but what really woke her was the pain.

She'd gone a whole day without her medication.

That was something she simply couldn't do.

Jessica turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

But the pain was so sharp, so overwhelming, that she could barely endure it; half- reclined in the plane's seat, her body curled up uncontrollably.

Timothy's panic only grew. He gripped her arm, his voice tight with worry. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Leave me alone!" she snapped, shoving his hand away.

If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be suffering this way.

She hadn't been born with liver disease. The doctors said her illness was the result of years of bottled-up emotions.

She'd been getting better-distancing herself from Timothy and his son, faithfully taking the medicine prescribed for her conservative treatment. The cancer cells had even shown signs of shrinking, giving her a real chance at surgery.

But now, he was about to ruin everything again.

"You're my wife. How could I not care? Is it your stomach? Let me help-maybe a little massage-"

She'd been asleep for seven or eight hours; they must be almost there.

Jessica's forehead was slick with sweat. This pain-no massage could possibly ease it.

"Don't touch me."

She pushed him away again.

Timothy stared at the perspiration beading on her brow, then called out to the pilot, "Contact the nearest airstrip. We need to land as soon as possible."

They were already back in the country. It didn't matter if they didn't go straight to Riverside City.

With her in this state, he had to get her to a hospital.

"Timothy! Don't change course. Take us home, straight home!"

Her medication was at the house. All she needed was to take her pills, and she'd be fine.

She was always careful to have her medication ready and on time. If they landed somewhere unfamiliar, it would only delay things, and there was no guarantee she could even get the prescription she needed.

would never, ever let

already hard enough to leave him as it was; that secret was her last card, her last escape

it would

was still uneasy. "But you're in so much pain. You need

just need to rest. I want to go home, Timothy. Please-I don't want

that Timothy had no choice but to back down. He told the pilot to stick to the original

ounce of strength she

stand it anymore. He unbuckled her seatbelt and

energy left to protest. She let herself be

embrace was familiar

of place she'd wanted to lean on more times than she

when she was at her lowest. He was always so calm, so unshakeable; deep

to rest

it here?" he asked gently,

you're suffering, every emotion

a devastating

wanted to resist, but the pain had

she stayed silent.

to soothe her,

always someone in

ie'

ет

who, when you hurt, that pain cuts even deeper because of them and yet, when you see them, you

is always the one you once

leave the island for

We'rest there. Once we're

wish will finally

distract

the pain only made it worse-he

surprise I want to tell you

Jessica hesitated, skeptical.

More likely

you want to know

him

trust me

She still said nothing.

You'll believe