Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 46

"Mabel, thank you for always caring about me. It's just... this family doesn't need me anymore."

Mabel stared at the message glowing on her phone screen, her heart sinking. Mrs. Carter must have overheard what young Henry said earlier.

She hurried to reply, "Please, Mrs. Carter, don't overthink it."

A bitter, weary smile tugged at the corners of Jessica's lips.

It wasn't just in her head. She really had seen it all with her own eyes.

"Oh, that's right!" Mabel suddenly remembered what happened after Henry came home from school. She quickly added, "Mrs. Carter, you're still very important to Henry. When he got back from school today and saw what you brought home, he realized it was a ring—a ring Mr. Carter bought especially for you at the Oakwood charity auction. It was his way of showing he cares. Henry was afraid if you returned it, Mr. Carter would be upset, so he asked me to help him keep it a secret from his dad."

Mabel hoped this might persuade Jessica to stay.

Jessica looked at her, uncertain.

just had a fever, and when he needed someone, he called for you. Kids are so vulnerable when they're sick. He waited and waited, and when you didn't come, he might have said things he didn't mean. Please,

felt something give way

so young-too young to understand the complicated mess between adults. But he did know enough to want

to him. But the moment she heard him

she hadn't hesitated, maybe she would've arrived sooner.

much he seemed to push her away, he was still her little boy. She only had

moment, then typed out a message to Mabel, letting her know she was going to

out the door, hoping this

and Sheila were with Henry at the children's emergency room. While the doctor examined him, Sheila held Henry close, fussing

fever, though his temperature was a little high. After the checkup, the

later, a nurse came in with the medication for Henry's IV. To Henry's surprise, the

prepared the injection, she ruffled Henry's hair and said softly, "Be brave, Henry. It'll sting a bit, but you'll

clung

afraid—my mom's here with me,"