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.

Zimmermans want you to make a public statement about

they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are you really planning to

"Yes."

there any other

it would destroy

the pain, but there was no reason to drag

refused to let go now, there'd

"But-"

'but.' Whatever the Zimmermans ask for, just give it to

the call, his face even paler

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

"If I were her, I might do the same. Go home, Sallie. I'm tired.

mouth to argue,

was around five in the evening in Riverside City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and ates Bryant arrived at

Jessica's heart pounded the

of the car and stood before the front door She was abou to see

come on," Vince urged

and immediately opened

followed the siblings

the house was

they stepped into the courtyard, a fit of coughing echoed from

A woman's cough.

to be her

and daughter? Without thinking, she dropped her suitcase and hurried

But Vince had told her how after she'd disappeared, their

slow down," Vince called, catching

door

in," Mrs. Zimmerman's voice floated

Zachary hurried to pour her some

trembling. "I wanted to bring you to