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.

cancer-she would never, ever let him find

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

it would save

you're in so much pain. You need

like this because of you. I just need to rest. I want to go home, Timothy. Please-I don't want

no choice but to back down. He told the pilot

agony, using every ounce of strength she

her seatbelt and

had no energy left to

embrace was familiar

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

when she was at her lowest. He was always so calm, so unshakeable; deep down, she believed he could make her

slipped under her sweater, coming to rest on her abdomen, his palm radiating heat through her

it here?" he asked

emotion is raw and

someone care-it's a devastating

pain had already drowned out any strength to refuse

wanting to answer, she stayed silent. Timothy did

her stomach, trying to soothe her, to ease the

always someone

ie'

ет

pain cuts even deeper because of them and yet, when you

one you once loved with all

you've wanted to leave the

We'rest there. Once we're

your wish will finally come

tried to distract her with small

only made it

a surprise I want to

Jessica hesitated, skeptical.

him? More likely a shock or a

to

gave him

trust me anymore,

She still said nothing.

okay. You'll believe me eventually. As long as