Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He could barely keep himself afloat.

At home, his mother and father pressured him constantly. He'd thought about it too-of course he had-but compared to Timothy and Herbert, he always felt like he came up short.

All because, before he knew her true identity, he'd never bothered to build any sort of relationship with her.

Outside the doors of the intensive care unit, Sallie sat alone, her figure small and solitary, eyes swollen and red from crying.

Kane approached to comfort her. "I heard some specialists are coming today for a consult. Don't worry too much. Did they say if there's a chance he can get better?"

"Not yet," Sallie replied. "They went in to check on Timothy, and now they're in a meeting. I'm still waiting to hear."

Thurston Lawson had flown back from overseas just last night. Early that morning, he headed straight to the hospital to get tested as a potential donor.

Rebekah stopped him in the corridor. "Your uncle works in the transplant lab," she said. "I've already spoken to him. He'll make sure you don't end up as a match. When you go in for the blood test, let your uncle handle it. He'll take care of everything."

what are you talking about? Henry's my nephew. If I'm a match and

always treated Thurston and Nola well. Their mother, too, had maintained a good relationship with

her voice. "I asked your uncle. They say donating stem cells doesn't really harm the donor, but in reality, it does leave you weaker, and there are some side effects. I'm

talk nonsense. Timothy will be fine," Thurston

flaring. "If you say that again, I'll tell Grandpa.

twenty-two, Thurston was still young and full of ideals, a senior in college, untouched by the cynicism of the

anything," Rebekah said, her tone softening, "There are plenty of people in the family getting tested. We're all relatives, so matching shouldn't be a problem. There's no need for you to risk yourself. Just listen to me and

"I'll pretend

say it again, I won't keep

he

could only

all. If Timothy recovered, Thurston would never be next in line for the Lawson Group. But if Timothy didn't make it, and Henry was left with a chronic illness, then Thurston

donor testing, completing all the necessary checks before heading down the hall to find Sallie outside the

when the

them, his eyes darkening