Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sandra's face was etched with worry. "Wasn't he with you?"

"We've been apart for almost two hours now. Hasn't he come back?" Vince replied.

Hearing voices outside, Sallie emerged from the bedroom just in time to catch Vince's words. Her tone was urgent, almost frantic. "Did you say you and Timothy have been separated for two hours?"

Vince nodded. "Yeah."

Muttering under her breath, Sallie fretted, "Why isn't he back yet? He's still injured -what if something's happened? He was already coughing up blood..."

Without another word, she fished out her phone and dialed Timothy's number. The call went through, but no one picked up.

A wave of panic surged through her. Even Sandra, usually so composed, began to fidget anxiously. "Why is he running around in his condition?"

Vince had come looking for Timothy to discuss something important, but with Timothy nowhere to be found, he simply turned to Sandra. "Since he's not here, I'll be leaving."

Sandra, having spent most of her years abroad, wasn't familiar with the details between Jessica and Timothy, nor could anyone blame her for what had happened.

Worried for Timothy, Sallie chased after Vince as he headed out the front gate. "Timothy left with you this evening. If anything happens to him, I won't forgive you."

Vince let out a cold laugh-short, mocking, bitter.

"Really, Sallie? You have the nerve to say that? I told you before, Timothy's fate has nothing to do with the Zimmerman family. Our Salome married into your family for seven years, and you nearly broke her. I haven't even started holding you accountable, yet you're here blaming me? No wonder she couldn't stand living with you people!"

He'd settle this score after he dealt with Jessica.

Sallie shot back, her voice tight with anger. "Don't twist the facts, Vince! How was she 'nearly broken'? Timothy never once let her lack for anything!"

Vince's jaw clenched. "Sure, Timothy never denied her food, clothes, or spending money—that's the bare minimum! But did he ever give her his time? His care? You're no saint either, Sallie. I can't believe I never saw through you before. Disgusting."

With that, Vince stormed off, leaving Sallie fuming and stomping her foot in frustration.

Sandra had been standing quietly at the door, overhearing the entire exchange. It was clear now-the Zimmerman family must despise Timothy.

She sighed.

"Sallie," Sandra called softly as she walked over. "You should send someone to look for Timothy."

"I'll do it right now."

As soon as Sallie drove off, Sandra took out her phone and called Sheila.

"Sheila, can you come home for a bit? I haven't been feeling well lately." Sheila, hearing the concern in Sandra's voice, promised to return right away. Some things, Sandra thought, simply had to be discussed face-to-face.

The children were adults now. There was so much out of her hands, and the realization pained her deeply.

If only Hannah hadn't passed away, if she'd been there to watch Timothy grow, would he have turned out differently?

Timothy had been raised as the Lawson family's heir, held to impossibly high standards, and without a mother's presence, he'd grown into a man of few words and even fewer emotions.

A mother's love is gentle, enduring. Children touched by it turn out different- softer, more open. But Timothy was raised by men alone, and something vital was always missing.

Sallie, meanwhile, was at a loss as to where to start searching for Timothy. Driving out into the icy night, she kept trying his number over and over.noveldrama

Finally, after what felt like forever, he answered.

Her voice trembled with relief and worry. "Timothy, where are you? Why haven't you been picking up?"

"I'm at the hospital. My phone was on silent."

"Which hospital? I'll come see you."

After hanging up, Timothy texted Sallie the hospital address and his location.

When Sallie arrived, Timothy was still in the doctor's office getting his wounds treated. Seeing the jagged scars across his skin, Sallie's heart ached.

The doctor finished applying ointment and bandaging the wounds, reminding Timothy to avoid any strenuous activity. "It's cold this time ofyear," the doctor warned.

"Wounds heal slower, and if you keep reopening them, you'll be left with serious scars."

Once they left the hospital and got in the car, Sallie took the driver's seat and

glanced back at Timothy, who sat silently in the back.

"Vince came by to see you just now," she said.

"Did he say what for?"

"No, but he didn't look pleased."

Timothy didn't respond. The cold, oppressive atmosphere in the car matched the

snow falling outside, and even with the heater on, it felt chilly.

Sallie lowered her voice. "Timothy, do you love Jessy?"

He stayed silent.

She didn't push further. Knowing Timothy, if he didn't want to talk, nothing would make him.

Sallie started the car. From the back seat, Timothy spoke quietly, "Take me to the airport."

"You're going back?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"But Jessy's still here..."

Sallie trailed off. What was the point? Jessy wanted nothing to do with Timothy. Even if he waited outside the Zimmerman family's front gate, Jessy wouldn't see him.

In silence, Sallie drove Timothy to the airport. They both got out of the car.

"Timothy, I have a feeling Vince had something important to discuss. Are you sure you want to leave now?"

"I have my own business to deal with," he said, his voice flat.

He needed to settle things with Jessica once and for all.

"Fine. Maybe it's best you go."

At least away from here, his wounds might finally heal.

Sallie walked him to security, watching his solitary figure disappear into the crowd.

Her heart twisted painfully, but there was nothing more she could do.

The next morning.

Jessica woke up early. Pulling back the curtains, she found the world outside blanketed in shimmering white.

The snow was breathtaking.

For a moment, she felt lighter, her spirits lifted. She dressed quickly and ran outside.

Just then, Vince was opening his car door, about to head to the hospital.

"Up so early?" he called out, closing the door and walking toward Jessica. Snow was still falling, but the flakes were smaller now.