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.

here?"

Nola Lawson close behind, anxiety written

immediate family-here today for Henry's compatibility

this-Emergency Consent Form," the nurse said, holding out a clipboard. Phelps and Naylor took one look at the words and immediately fainted dead away. Herbert had just set Jessica down, but she nearly collapsed to the floor herself. Nola was terrified. Both her father and grandfather had passed

staff rushed in to carry Phelps and Naylor

turned to Nola. "What's your

"I'm his sister."

need to

recoiled, shaking her head. "No, I can't sign that—I'm not

members are unconscious. Only you

at Jessica. "Let her sign-she's his

were unconscious or if her older

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

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

there any hope?" she asked, voice

honestly don't

ret

treated right now Every doctor

everything they can."