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.

"The Zimmermans want you to make a public statement about

Edit it until they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are you really

"Yes."

any

it

was no reason to drag her down

refused to let go now, there'd be nothing left

"But-"

Whatever the Zimmermans ask for, just give it to

ended the call, his

to the Zimmerman house this morning. Because of Jessy, Larkin was furious with me. He even

lips into a thin line. "If I were her, I might do the same. Go home, Sallie.

her mouth to argue, but couldn't find a single

the evening in Riverside City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and ates

Jessica's heart pounded the

stood before the front

come on,"

housekeeper spotted Vince and

followed the

early hour, the

stepped into the courtyard, a fit of

A woman's cough.

to be her

unbreakable bond between mother and

remember her mother-didn't remember anything at all. But Vince had told her how after she'd disappeared, their mother had fallen ill her health broken by grief, hanging on by sheer

Vince called,

bedroom door

didn't you call ahead? Come in, come in,"

started to cough again, and Zachary hurried

"I wanted