Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Thank you, Doctor," Sallie said quietly.

She walked with Timothy back to his hospital room.

Timothy's back was covered in wounds, so many that the doctor insisted he leave his shirt off so his injuries could breathe. He was made to lie on his stomach, and Sallie sat at the head of the bed, her eyes brimming with tears at the sight.

The awkward position made it impossible for Timothy to get comfortable. Before long, he slowly opened his eyes and caught the glimmer of tears in Sallie's gaze.

He called out softly, "Sis."noveldrama

That single word broke Sallie's composure. She burst into tears. "Timothy, how- how did it get this bad? What happened to you? Why didn't you tell me anything? If I hadn't gone looking for you tonight, you could've died at Moonstrand Villas and no one would've even known."

Her heart ached for him.

Things had been so much better when Jessica was around. She'd always kept her focus on Timothy and Henry-she'd never have let anything like this happen to Timothy. Even if something had gone wrong, Jessica would have been at his side, quietly caring for him, never leaving him alone.

It was only in this moment that Sallie realized how well-suited Jessica had been for Timothy: gentle, thoughtful, the kind of woman who let Timothy focus on his work and his ambitions, never having to worry about home.

She really had been the perfect wife for him.

"You're almost thirty, and you're still bawling like a kid. Aren't you embarrassed?" Timothy's voice was hoarse from exhaustion and pain, but still somehow deep and soothing.

That only made Sallie's tears flow harder.

"I'm sorry, Timothy, I'm so sorry..." she choked out, guilt overwhelming her. Timothy had warned her so many times—not to call Jessica names, not to treat her so harshly. He'd asked her to be kinder.

But she never listened.

Jessica had always treated her with patience and care, even though Sallie constantly picked on her, thinking her brother deserved more than a wife who couldn't speak. She'd always found fault with Jessica.

"I shouldn't have ignored you. I shouldn't have treated Salome that way. It's our fault-no wonder she left you..."

"You know she's Salome?" Timothy's voice was strained.

Sallie nodded, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Grandpa called tonight. He wants everyone home tomorrow for a family meeting, to talk about your marriage. He doesn't want you two to get divorced either. I'll go see her tomorrow and apologize, beg her to come back."

She was the eldest daughter of the Lawsons, used to getting her way. She'd never had to bow her head for anyone. But for Timothy, she'd do it in a heartbeat.

And Jessica-Jessy-wasn't just anyone. She'd once been Sallie's beloved little sister. How had things come to this?

"Don't go see her," Timothy croaked, his voice tight. "Tell Grandpa it's over. There's no need for a family meeting."

"You don't love her? Are you really going to let this family fall apart?"

"That's not it."

He remembered what Jessica had said: I'm giving you seven years of my life. Later, she'd added, Seven years, or maybe forever.

And then-the accident.

In the blink of an eye, "forever" had become real. She'd truly given up hope. He couldn't let her die.

He could bear a divorce. He could let her leave him. But he couldn't bear the thought of her dying.

"She's Salome. When she was little, she always said she liked you best, wanted to marry you. Don't you want to try to make it right?"

"She's talented-she animates, she makes beautiful paper art... She shouldn't be trapped with me. I'm tired, Sis. I need some rest. Go home and get some sleep." Timothy closed his eyes.

Qu

Sallie didn't say anything else. As twins, she could feel his pain as if it were her own. Some things didn't need to be said out loud-she already understood. He still loved Jessica. She'd always suspected as much, even if she'd never wanted to admit it.

She'd even kept quiet the first time she saw Jessica and Herbert together at the market, afraid to ruin Timothy's happiness over a misunderstanding.

Wiping her tears away, Sallie quietly slipped out of the room.

She barely slept that night. When Henry woke up the next morning, Sallie was already sitting at his bedside.

"Auntie, why are you up so early?" Henry asked sleepily.

"Go wash up, sweetheart," she replied, brushing his hair back. "Auntie's taking you somewhere before school."

"Okay."

Once Henry had finished breakfast, Sallie drove him across town to the Zimmerman estate.

When Larkin heard that Sallie was visiting, he felt a flicker of annoyance-but then remembered how devoted she'd always been to him, and told the housekeeper to let her in.

Sallie entered, holding Henry by the hand. Larkin glanced at the boy's face-so

like Timothy's, there was no mistaking it. This was Salome's son. His great- grandson.

He felt a rush of emotion-until he remembered this little troublemaker had called another woman "Mom" and broken Salome's heart. His face darkened, and he snapped, "What are you doing here?"

Henry frowned. Why was this grandpa so grumpy?