After saying his piece, Father Benedict gently gestured toward the porcelain

teacup. "The tea's getting cold, my friend. Please, have some."

Timothy finished the last of his tea, warmth lingering only in memory.

Father Benedict rose from his seat. "There's much to be done in the abbey today.

I can't keep you company for long, but please, make yourself at home. Stay as

long as you wish, and leave whenever you're ready."

"Thank you."

"Peace be with you."

With that, Father Benedict left the quiet sanctuary.

Timothy sat there for a long while, lost in thought. Before stepping outside, he

slipped all the cash he had into the donation box by the door.

Driving home, Timothy replayed Father Benedict's words in his mind. He wished

he could do as the priest advised—let go of his pain, his obsessions. But he

couldn't. He wouldn't. He'd rather drown in the ache than live without Jessica. The

pain was still something he could bear. What did it matter if life was a little harder?

He couldn't imagine a world without her.

Little did he know, worse pain was waiting for him in the days to come.

Timothy returned to The Gilded Whisper Estates.

Sallie had no way of knowing where to look for him, so she'd simply waited

anxiously at the estate. When she saw him walk through the door, she hurried

over and grabbed his arm, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. "Why didn't

you let me know you were discharged from the hospital? I tried calling you, but

you wouldn't pick up. You have any idea how worried I was? I searched for you all

morning—I was about to call the police!"

"I'm not a toddler, Sallie. You didn't need to panic."

"I know you're not a child, but you're still recovering. After everything that's

happened, you just disappear and stop answering your phone—how could I not

worried? I even thought you'd flown overseas to find

he chewed

himself from her grip

across

Vince say to you?" Timothy

accused me

not wrong. Why

the couch, indignant. "You're my

a hard time, you should be on my side—not sarcastic!

anything about

"What did he say?"

said whether you live or die, it's got nothing to

anymore!"

expression darkened, shadows settling over his

had gone too far. She

just upset—he didn't mean it. You two have been

You always looked out for him. He's not the type to forget old

that easily."

could've said," Timothy

I'd disappear for good."

bother defending himself or blaming

"None of this

we had, we never would've

steady. "Even if

be treated

blaming

you never did?

was part of

no way my

her to divorce you

of Henry.

her was what she

son. That's

walk away

nothing, his

bit her lip, then

didn't mean

worry about you. I stick up

and you still

I got

about

was so hurt.

still hope

tried, maybe she'd

back."

you and Henry, that's why she

She cared—so she

left.

She'd let go.

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