Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The butler kept his head down, nervous they might blame him for not stopping Timothy.

Honestly, in a situation like this, what could he have done?

Vince understood. None of them had been around, and Timothy had brought in a specialist for Grandpa, trying to help. What could he really say?

Still, it bothered him. He muttered under his breath, "All for show."

By now, Larkin had drifted off to sleep and was out of immediate danger. They could finally breathe a little easier.

But Jessica still couldn't relax. She asked the butler which room Daisy was in. He gave her the number, and Jessica asked Vince to go with her.

As they reached the door, Jessica peeked through the small window. She saw Timothy carrying a basin of water out of the room. He wrung out a towel, folded it neatly, gently lifted the one from Daisy's forehead, and replaced it with the fresh

one.

Jessica paused, transfixed.

So, he did know how to look after a sick child.

But in the past, he never bothered.

had always taken care of it

at Jessica, unsure what was running through her mind. He could never forgive

tugging at her lips. "Daisy is

raised his hand and knocked. Inside, Timothy was wringing out another towel. He

at Vince's

the towel slipped into the basin,

three or four days, but seeing her again made it painfully clear- he'd missed her with every

longing

fierce embrace, as if he could press her

take life without

often didn't see her for days. But knowing she was at home made it bearable-he never had to worry

though, the house without her in it wasn't

was left

cooked, it never felt like a

"Jessy..."

said her name hoarsely,

him away, but he only

and yanked him off her. "What the hell

the wrinkles he'd left on her blouse, her movements chilly and distant, as if he were

felt the words stick in his