Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He really didn't have the strength to get up this time.

He was exhausted. Everything hurt.

Ever since the car accident that shattered his leg, he hadn't been able to get out of bed. Even lying there, he'd barely rested, chasing after Jessica Greene overseas from a hospital room.

Vince Zimmerman had stabbed him once, and just a few days ago, Jessica had done it again.

Now, his back was covered with cuts from the shattered windshield.

He was tough, but even he couldn't ignore so many wounds. The pain was real- relentless.

Sallie Lawson unwrapped the takeout bag she'd just brought in. “Let me help you eat a little soup, okay?"

He turned away. "I'm not hungry. I told you, you don't need to worry about me. I just want some peace and quiet."

Sallie's tone was stubborn. "You're my brother. How could I possibly not worry? You're in the hospital. You have to eat something."

Just then, Sallie's phone rang.

It was Phelps Lawson calling.

She answered.

"I told you to come home for a family meeting. We need to talk about Timothy and Jessy's marriage. Why aren't you back yet?"

Sallie sighed. “Timothy won't come home. There's nothing we can decide without him. Are you planning to drag Jessica back into the Lawson family by force?"

She knew these discussions were pointless.

"I know it's difficult, but we still need to show we're making an effort. By the way, where's Timothy? He won't answer my calls. He needs to be here for this. The Zimmerman family is demanding a formal statement about the divorce."

Timothy reached over and took Sallie's phone, switching it to speaker.

"Grandpa, I don't want you involved in our business,” he said, his voice low and steady.

you to make a public statement about the

whatever statement they want. Send it over. Edit it until they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are

"Yes."

there any

didn't, it would

pain, but there was no reason to

after mistake. If he refused to let go now, there'd be

"But-"

ask for, just give it to them. I'm hanging

the call, his face even paler

Because of Jessy, Larkin was furious with me. He even yelled at Henry. Jessy wasn't home-she went abroad. From what Larkin said, it sounds like

were her, I might do the same. Go home, Sallie. I'm tired. I need a few days

to argue, but couldn't find a

in Riverside City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica,

Jessica's heart pounded the

the car and stood before the front door She was

come on," Vince urged

and immediately opened

the

early hour, the house was

the courtyard, a fit of coughing echoed from

A woman's cough.

had to be

between mother and daughter? Without thinking, she dropped her

anything at all. But Vince had told her how after she'd disappeared, their mother had

called, catching up. "This

a bedroom door and knocked softly. "Mom? Are you

call ahead? Come in, come in,"

again, and Zachary hurried to pour

hand, his own trembling. "I wanted to bring you