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.

worry, hope, or longing Timothy's eyes held, Jessica

trusted her he'd even insulted her outright. Even now, he was using Herbert as a

we just

real. How am I supposed to

be erased

get to you. I promised I'd

rarely spoke this much in one go. Maybe that was part of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and every time their conversations broke off, their issues grew more tangled

he'd never known before. It should have been simple, but somehow, nothing could be

Timothy a cold look. "Timothy, do you have to cling to

the details of Timothy

Vince, "Watch your manners. There's no need

paperwork's done. Divorce will be finalized soon. Jessy clearly has no intention of getting 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.

you saying you want Jessy

every way that matters. All that's left is a signature. The fact that you're here, trying

proves you did nothing until it was too late. People don't stand waiting forever, Timothy. As your elder, I suggest

heavy with the concern of a father figure. Timothy, though stubborn, wouldn't disrespect

turned

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