Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra's face was etched with worry. "Wasn't he with you?"

"We've been apart for almost two hours now. Hasn't he come back?" Vince replied.

Hearing voices outside, Sallie emerged from the bedroom just in time to catch Vince's words. Her tone was urgent, almost frantic. "Did you say you and Timothy have been separated for two hours?"

Vince nodded. "Yeah."

Muttering under her breath, Sallie fretted, "Why isn't he back yet? He's still injured -what if something's happened? He was already coughing up blood..."

Without another word, she fished out her phone and dialed Timothy's number. The call went through, but no one picked up.

A wave of panic surged through her. Even Sandra, usually so composed, began to fidget anxiously. "Why is he running around in his condition?"

Vince had come looking for Timothy to discuss something important, but with Timothy nowhere to be found, he simply turned to Sandra. "Since he's not here, I'll be leaving."

Sandra, having spent most of her years abroad, wasn't familiar with the details between Jessica and Timothy, nor could anyone blame her for what had happened.

Worried for Timothy, Sallie chased after Vince as he headed out the front gate. "Timothy left with you this evening. If anything happens to him, I won't forgive you."

Vince let out a cold laugh-short, mocking, bitter.

"Really, Sallie? You have the nerve to say that? I told you before, Timothy's fate has nothing to do with the Zimmerman family. Our Salome married into your family for seven years, and you nearly broke her. I haven't even started holding you accountable, yet you're here blaming me? No wonder she couldn't stand living with you people!"

He'd settle this score after he dealt with Jessica.

Sallie shot back, her voice tight with anger. "Don't twist the facts, Vince! How was she 'nearly broken'? Timothy never once let her lack for anything!"

Vince's jaw clenched. "Sure, Timothy never denied her food, clothes, or spending money—that's the bare minimum! But did he ever give her his time? His care? You're no saint either, Sallie. I can't believe I never saw through you before. Disgusting."

With that, Vince stormed off, leaving Sallie fuming and stomping her foot in frustration.

Sandra had been standing quietly at the door, overhearing the entire exchange. It was clear now-the Zimmerman family must despise Timothy.

She sighed.

walked over. "You should

it

as Sallie drove off, Sandra took out her phone and called

Sheila, hearing the concern in Sandra's voice, promised to return right away. Some things, Sandra thought, simply had to be

out of her

if she'd been there to watch Timothy

family's heir, held to impossibly high standards, and without a mother's presence, he'd grown into a man of few words and even fewer

gentle, enduring. Children touched by it turn out different- softer, more open. But Timothy was raised by men alone, and

searching for Timothy. Driving

after what felt

"Timothy, where are you? Why haven't you been picking

the hospital. My phone was on

hospital? I'll

hanging up, Timothy texted Sallie the hospital address and his

office getting his wounds treated. Seeing the jagged scars across his skin, Sallie's heart

reminding Timothy to avoid any strenuous activity. "It's

keep reopening them, you'll be left with serious

in the car,

who sat

see you just

he say what

he didn't look

oppressive atmosphere in

even with the heater

her voice. "Timothy, do you

He stayed silent.

he didn't want to talk, nothing

back seat, Timothy