Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra could only shake her head in resignation.

Vince was just reaching the ER doctor's office with Jessica in his arms when she suddenly opened her eyes, disoriented to find herself in a hospital.

Panic flickered across her face. She quickly tugged at Vince's sleeve. "I'm fine, really. You can put me down."

"We're already at the doctor's office. Let's just have you checked out."

Jessica had barely made it home before her parents were overwhelmed with joy. If they saw her coming into the hospital now, there'd be no way to hide her cancer from them.

She had always planned to tell Vince first. Letting their parents know so soon would only devastate them-especially their mother.

Trying to sound casual, Jessica explained, "I just got a little woozy when I saw Timothy's wound. I just need a minute to recover."

It was true. She'd been through enough to understand. Some people aren't normally squeamish, but when someone they care about is hurt badly, it can trigger a fainting response. That's exactly what happened to her.

Timothy appeared just then, catching the tail end of her words. He hurried over. "Jessy, you still care about me, don't you?"

Everyone turned as Timothy approached, and the mood soured instantly.

No matter how much worry, hope, or longing Timothy's eyes held, Jessica felt nothing for him anymore.

They'd been married for seven years, and still, he hadn't trusted her he'd even insulted her outright. Even now, he was using Herbert as a wedge between them.

Jessica's gaze was steady, her words cool and even. "Mr. Lawson, can't we just put a period at the end of these past seven years?"

"Jessy, those years were real. How am I supposed to just end them?"

The memories couldn't be erased or glossed over.

Timothy's voice trembled. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I shouldn't have doubted you. I shouldn't have lashed out. I never meant to refuse your calls for help that stormy night—I tried to get to you. I promised I'd file for divorce and I meant it. I just... realized there's so much we never talked about. Even if we're ending things, shouldn't we at least clear the air?"

Timothy rarely spoke this much in one go. Maybe that was part of the problem- he always left things unsaid, and every time their conversations broke off, their issues grew more tangled and unresolved.

The ghosts of the past gnawed at Timothy's heart, bringing him pain and helplessness he'd never known before. It should have been simple, but somehow, nothing could be fixed.

Vince pulled Jessica protectively to his side and shot Timothy a cold look. "Timothy, do you have to cling to her like some kind of leech?"

Zachary, who didn't know all the details of Timothy and Jessica's marriage, still

tried to keep the peace between the families. He scolded Vince, "Watch your manners. There's no need for that kind of talk."

Then he turned to Timothy. "Timothy, the paperwork's done. Divorce will be finalized soon. Jessy clearly has no intention of getting back together. She went missing, her background's still unclean She was supposed to marry Yates, but ended up with you instead-this whole thing was a mess from the start. Maybe it's time to set things right."

Timothy swallowed hard. "Mr. Zimmerman, are you saying you want Jessy to marry Yates?"noveldrama

"No matter who Jessy marries in the future, you two are already divided in every way that matters. All that's left is a signature. The fact that you're here, trying to explain

only proves you did nothing until it was too late. People don't stand waiting forever, Timothy. As your elder, I suggest you see the doctor, then head home and get some rest."

Zachary's words were heavy with the concern of a father figure. Timothy, though stubborn, wouldn't disrespect him.

He finally stopped pressing Jessica and turned to Vince. "Could we talk in private?"

Vince had things to say, too. He nodded to Zachary. "Dad, why don't you and the others head home first? I'll catch up after I talk to Timothy."

"Alright."

Zachary still wanted Jessica to see the doctor, but she insisted she was fine. Eventually, he gave in and left with her.

Yates considered following them, but realized his presence would only make Jessica more uncomfortable. Better to stay behind and maybe learn more about what had happened between her and Timothy.

"I'll come with you," he said quietly.

Timothy didn't object.

Talking in the hospital felt awkward, so the three men left together. Outside, they

ran into Sandra and Sallie; Timothy told them to go on ahead.

The men piled into a car and found a quiet café nearby.

Timothy, dressed too lightly for the chilly weather, looked pale and drawn after everything that had happened. He ordered three coffees, then cut to the chase. "What did She

tell you that made you start doubting Jessica's identity as Salome?"