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 Jessica. I

he chewed me

himself from her grip and crossed to

sitting across

did Vince say

me of

he's not wrong. Why

up from the couch, indignant. "You're my

a hard time, you should be on my

anything

"What did he say?"

die, it's got nothing

anymore!"

shadows settling

realized her words had gone too far. She sat back

"He was just upset—he didn't mean it. You two have been close

him. He's not the type to forget

that easily."

the mildest thing he could've said," Timothy muttered.

I'd disappear for good."

defending himself or

lips. "None of this would've

we had, we never would've let

his gaze steady.

to be treated

you're blaming

miserable? Like you never did?

I was part of the problem,

no way my attitude

divorce you and

of

what she

your son. That's what

walk away

his eyes cast

lip,

didn't mean to

worry about you. I stick up

and you still don't back

I got

cared about you

why she was

still hope

tried, maybe

back."

and Henry,

echoed in Timothy's mind. She cared—so she

left.

She'd let go.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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