Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 48

Jessica returned to the hotel earlier than planned.

She'd thought about switching to a different hotel, but realized it didn't matter—if Timothy could track her down here, he'd find her anywhere.

So, she decided not to bother.

Maybe it was the weight of her emotions, but as soon as she got back, a dull ache started in her abdomen and wouldn't let up.

She took her medication, but it didn't help much.

Now, she lay on the bed, unable to sleep-pain gnawing at her, keeping her wide awake.

Meanwhile, Timothy's call was cut off the moment he dialed.

That's when it struck him: Jessica had blocked his number.

A strange, hollow ache settled in his chest.

He turned back to the hospital room, checked Henry's forehead with a hand towel -only to find it was already warm.

He quickly wrung out a fresh towel, folded it, and placed it gently on Henry's brow. Then, slipping Henry's smartwatch from his wrist, Timothy stepped into the hallway and tried Jessica's number once more.

Jessica's phone buzzed.

The caller ID said Henry.

She froze, gripping the phone tightly.

end,

to fill the role of 'Mom.' What

she was

to use this time to let him slowly get used to

endless ringing on the speakerphone, until the call

must have

wouldn't even answer her own child's

as deep and cold as

out of his way to buy her that voice-activated ring,

small gesture of apology

kept pushing him away,

Unbelievable.

hospital room and sat by Henry's side, tending to him through the

a long,

a mild temperature

carried everything into the bathroom. When he came out, Sheila had

up, worry

He just nodded.

"Go home and get some

appreciate it," he said

I can do. You should really get some sleep. And if you run into Jessica, be gentle with her, okay? Kids recover faster when their own mom is by their

the mention of Jessica, Timothy's lips pressed into a thin, hard

coddled her any more, she'd

years of marriage, and he'd never realized just how