Goodbye, Mr. Regret

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, they came face-to-face with the entire Lawson family.

The Lawsons stared, wide-eyed, at the scene before them-Herbert was carrying Jessica on his back.

Phelps blurted out, voice sharp with accusation, “Jessy, I know you're divorcing Timothy, but you're still married for another week. How could you be clinging to another man like this?"

"Exactly! That sort of behavior just isn't right," Naylor chimed in stiffly.

Herbert's temper snapped. "Will you get out of the elevator already? We need to get upstairs! Timothy's gone ahead for emergency treatment, and Jessy almost passed out from the sight of his injury-I'm just helping her. You all know exactly what kind of person she is; she's been part of your family for seven years. What are you even accusing her of?"

Phelps and Naylor immediately faltered, their indignation turning to panic.

"Timothy's hurt? What happened to Timothy?"

"Come on, get inside!" Phelps grabbed Herbert and pulled him into the elevator.

The surgery wing was on the third floor. When the doors opened again, Herbert hurried down the hall with Jessica still on his back.

The Lawsons rushed after them in a panic.

They'd barely arrived at the surgical ward when the doors to the operating room swung open.

family here?" a nurse

forward, Nola Lawson close behind, anxiety written all

immediate family-here

at the words and immediately fainted dead away. Herbert had just set Jessica down,

shouted for help, frantic. The hospital staff rushed in to carry

nurse turned to Nola. "What's your relation

"I'm his sister."

need

her head. "No, I can't sign that—I'm not brave enough, that's the critical

Only you can sign.

Jessica. "Let her sign-she's his

what, Nola refused to take responsibility. She was terrified anything happened while her father and grandfather were unconscious or if her older

clipboard in front of Jessica. "Since you're the patient's wife, please

"Emergency Consent" in bold print. Her vision blurred; her legs

there any hope?"

honestly don't know,"

ret

right now Every

everything they can."