Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Thank you, Doctor," Sallie said quietly.

She walked with Timothy back to his hospital room.

Timothy's back was covered in wounds, so many that the doctor insisted he leave his shirt off so his injuries could breathe. He was made to lie on his stomach, and Sallie sat at the head of the bed, her eyes brimming with tears at the sight.

The awkward position made it impossible for Timothy to get comfortable. Before long, he slowly opened his eyes and caught the glimmer of tears in Sallie's gaze.

He called out softly, "Sis."

That single word broke Sallie's composure. She burst into tears. "Timothy, how- how did it get this bad? What happened to you? Why didn't you tell me anything? If I hadn't gone looking for you tonight, you could've died at Moonstrand Villas and no one would've even known."

Her heart ached for him.

Things had been so much better when Jessica was around. She'd always kept her focus on Timothy and Henry-she'd never have let anything like this happen to Timothy. Even if something had gone wrong, Jessica would have been at his side, quietly caring for him, never leaving him alone.

It was only in this moment that Sallie realized how well-suited Jessica had been for Timothy: gentle, thoughtful, the kind of woman who let Timothy focus on his work and his ambitions, never having to worry about home.

She really had been the perfect wife for him.

"You're almost thirty, and you're still bawling like a kid. Aren't you embarrassed?" Timothy's voice was hoarse from exhaustion and pain, but still somehow deep and soothing.

That only made Sallie's tears flow harder.

I'm so sorry..." she choked out, guilt overwhelming her. Timothy had warned her so many times—not to call Jessica names, not to treat her so harshly. He'd asked her to be

But she never listened.

on her, thinking her

Salome that way. It's our fault-no wonder she left

Salome?"

a family meeting, to talk about your marriage. He doesn't want you two to get divorced either.

eldest daughter of the Lawsons, used to getting her way. She'd never had to bow her head for anyone. But for Timothy, she'd do it in a

just anyone. She'd once been Sallie's beloved little sister.

Timothy croaked, his voice tight. "Tell Grandpa it's over. There's no

you really going to let this

"That's not it."

said: I'm giving you seven years of

And then-the accident.

real. She'd truly given up hope. He couldn't let

bear a divorce. He could let her leave him. But he couldn't bear the thought

Salome. When she was little, she always said she liked you best, wanted to marry you. Don't you want to try to make

I'm tired, Sis. I need some rest. Go home and get some

Qu

Some things didn't need to be said out loud-she already understood. He still loved Jessica. She'd always suspected as much, even if she'd never wanted to admit

saw Jessica and Herbert together at the market, afraid to