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 other end. "The Zimmermans want you to make a public statement about the divorce. What

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

"Yes."

there any

he didn't, it

was no reason to drag

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

"But-"

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

ended the call, his face even paler than

morning. 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 she's really left everything behind... even her

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

to argue, but

City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and ates Bryant arrived at the

Jessica's heart pounded the

before the front door

come on,"

housekeeper spotted Vince and immediately

followed the

hour, the

stepped into the courtyard, a fit of coughing echoed

A woman's cough.

to be

between mother and daughter?

after she'd disappeared, their mother had fallen ill her health broken by

called, catching up.

guided her to a bedroom door and knocked

in, come in," Mrs. Zimmerman's voice floated through the door-gentle, but

Zachary hurried to pour her

trembling. "I wanted to bring you to Mom and