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

pressed

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

someone else's pain for yourself, it's hard to truly understand what they go

could finally see why Jessica was so determined to end their

had

it deepened the misunderstandings between them, but it had forced

been right all

she treated them like treasures, swallowed every hardship without

didn't need her, they were little more than an

The knowledge stung.

curse him, hit him-anything. He

But she didn't.

words, and only

wouldn't even mention it at

she quietly bore it all on

stepped back

had reached the car. Jessica said, "Mom, Dad, I want to visit a friend who helped me recover my voice.

Mrs. Zimmerman nodded. “Your

us about him-he

don't you invite him over sometime? We'd

grandfather's out of

to visit your hometown, to pay our

today and

take a cab home ourselves. Let the driver take you to