Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra could only shake her head in resignation.

Vince was just reaching the ER doctor's office with Jessica in his arms when she suddenly opened her eyes, disoriented to find herself in a hospital.

Panic flickered across her face. She quickly tugged at Vince's sleeve. "I'm fine, really. You can put me down."

"We're already at the doctor's office. Let's just have you checked out."

Jessica had barely made it home before her parents were overwhelmed with joy. If they saw her coming into the hospital now, there'd be no way to hide her cancer from them.

She had always planned to tell Vince first. Letting their parents know so soon would only devastate them-especially their mother.

Trying to sound casual, Jessica explained, "I just got a little woozy when I saw Timothy's wound. I just need a minute to recover."

It was true. She'd been through enough to understand. Some people aren't normally squeamish, but when someone they care about is hurt badly, it can trigger a fainting response. That's exactly what happened to her.

Timothy appeared just then, catching the tail end of her words. He hurried over. "Jessy, you still care about me, don't you?"

Everyone turned as Timothy approached, and the mood soured instantly.

or longing Timothy's

hadn't trusted her he'd even insulted her outright. Even now, he was using Herbert as

gaze was steady, her words cool and even. "Mr. Lawson, can't we just put a period

those years were real. How am I supposed to just end

memories couldn't be erased or

lashed out. I never meant to refuse your calls for help that stormy night—I tried to get to you. I promised I'd file for divorce and I meant it. I just... realized there's so much we never talked about. Even if we're

part of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and every time their conversations

and helplessness he'd never known before. It should have been

a cold look. "Timothy, do you have to cling to her like some kind of

all the details of Timothy and Jessica's

keep the peace between the families. He scolded Vince, "Watch your manners. There's no need for

back together. She went missing, her background's still unclean She was supposed to marry Yates, but ended up with you instead-this whole thing was a mess from the start.

"Mr. Zimmerman, are you saying you want

two are already divided in every way that matters. All that's left is a

Timothy. As your elder, I suggest you see the doctor,

words were heavy with the concern of a father

pressing Jessica and turned to Vince.

to Zachary. "Dad, why don't you and the others head home first? I'll catch up after