Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy's gaze was sharp, almost piercing, as he looked deeply into Jessica's eyes. "It's because I'm afraid of losing her," he admitted, voice low.

He had made too many mistakes.

Now, he was at a loss.

All he could do was fight desperately, even if it meant hurting himself in the process.

In the end, everyone lost.

Timothy looked away, then bowed solemnly to Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman.

"I never meant to keep this from you forever. I just hoped that by taking a roundabout approach, I could find a way to make things right with her again, bring her home myself, and deliver her safely back to you. But I've made a mess of everything. I'm sorry..."

Everything about Timothy-his posture, his words-radiated sincerity.

He was trying to change, to let go of his stubborn control.

He hoped, just once, to be forgiven.

But Jessica was unmoved.

Her face remained calm, expressionless, unreadable.

Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman looked at their daughter, searching her face, but said nothing to Timothy.

Mrs. Zimmerman stepped up beside Jessica. "We're on the fourth floor. It won't take long to walk down. Let's take the stairs."

The three of them turned and headed for the stairwell.

stayed where he was, defeated

ache pressed against his

if, every time he left her behind without a word-just walked away- she

for yourself, it's hard

Jessica was so determined

had been the

between them, but it had forced Jessica to see just how selfish he became when things got

been right all

she treated them like treasures, swallowed

need her, they

The knowledge stung.

him, curse him, hit him-anything. He could have

But she didn't.

words,

wouldn't even

quietly bore it

back into the

and her parents had reached the car. Jessica said, "Mom, Dad, I want to visit a friend who helped me recover my voice. You two go home

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

told us about him-he

him over sometime?

out

to visit your hometown, to pay our

today and set something

Let the driver take you to