Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 95

Jessica just stared at Henry, silent.

Henry thought she must be upset, so he hurried to explain. "Mom, you've always cared about me most, right? You wouldn't want me to be teased by others, would you? When we're alone, you'll always be my mom. But could you let Miss Sheila pretend to be my mom in front of everyone else? Just for show-would that be okay?"

Jessica's lips trembled.

This was the child she'd carried for nine long months.

She felt a deep, helpless ache rising inside her, the kind that makes you want to cry but leaves you with no tears.

Suddenly, a metallic taste filled her throat. She clamped a hand over her mouth and rushed out of the hospital room.

She doubled over in the hallway, retching.

When she pulled her hand away, she saw a smear of blood in her palm.

Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes for a moment, then walked toward the public restroom.

She turned on the tap and rinsed her hand clean, watching the blood swirl away, then splashed cold water on her face, desperate to wash away the tears threatening to spill.

She wandered out, numb, barely feeling the floor beneath her feet.

rang. She fished it out of her pocket-it was

up. Instead, she hung up and typed out

all night. I can't hold out anymore. Can you come and

knew Sallie would never leave

Timothy's only

Timothy was Sallie's younger brother, the one she'd helped raise. Sallie had never married

it. I'll be there as soon as I

Henry's room, determined to fulfill her duty as a mother, waiting for

message

made a huge compromise for you. Why did you get upset and leave? Are you really

the ache in her chest

couldn't let herself think too much

now.

gone astray, but he was still

matter how hurt or angry she felt, she couldn't really hold it

were nothing but paranoia, if she'd misunderstood everything, she'd make a

she'd do her best to set Henry back on the right

had six months left to live, she couldn't just stand by

she saw how pale Jessica looked, her brow furrowed. "Are