Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He really didn't have the strength to get up this time.

He was exhausted. Everything hurt.

Ever since the car accident that shattered his leg, he hadn't been able to get out of bed. Even lying there, he'd

barely rested, chasing after Jessica Greene overseas from a hospital room.

Vince Zimmerman had stabbed him once, and just a few days ago, Jessica had done it again.

Now, his back was covered with cuts from the shattered windshield.

He was tough, but even he couldn't ignore so many wounds. The pain was real- relentless.

Sallie Lawson unwrapped the takeout bag she'd just brought in. “Lethelp you eat a little soup, okay?"

He turned away. "I'm not hungry. | told you, you don't need to worry about me. | just want speace and

quiet."

Sallie's tone was stubborn. "You're my brother. How could | possibly not worry? You're in the hospital. You have to

eat something."

Just then, Sallie's phone rang.

It was Phelps Lawson calling.

She answered.

"| told you to chfor a family meeting. We need to talk about Timothy and Jessy's marriage. Why aren't

you back yet?"

Sallie sighed. “Timothy won't chome. There's nothing we can decide without him. Are you planning to drag

Jessica back into the Lawson family by force?"

She knew these discussions were pointless.

"I know it's difficult, but we still need to show we're making an effort. By the way, where's Timothy? He won't

answer my calls. He needs to be here for this. The Zimmerman family is demanding a formal statement about

the divorce."

Timothy reached over and took Sallie's phone, switching it to speaker.

"Grandpa, | don't want you involved in our business,” he said, his voice low and steady.

Phelps hesitated on the other end. "The Zimmermans want you to make a public statement about the divorce.

What do you want to do?"

"Write whatever statement they want. Send it over. Edit it until they're satisfied." Phelps's voice shook. "Are you

really planning to go through with the divorce?"

"Yes."

Was there any other choice?

If he didn't, it would destroy her.

He could handle the pain, but there was no reason to drag her down with him.

He'd made mistake after mistake. If he refused to let go now, there'd be nothing left for either of them-only

disaster.

"But-"

"There's no 'but.' Whatever the Zimmermans ask for, just give it to them. I'm hanging up."

Timothy ended the call, his face even paler than before.

Sallie hesitated, searching for words. "Timothy, | went to the Zimmerman house this morning. Because of Jessy,

Larkin was furious with me. He even yelled at Henry. Jessy wasn't home-she went abroad. From what Larkin said,

it sounds like she's really left everything behind... even her son."

Timothy pressed his lips into a thin line. "If | were her, | might do the same. Go home, Sallie. I'm tired. | need a

few days to rest here."

She opened her mouth to argue, but couldn't find a single word.

It was around five in the evening in Riverside City, but just dawn in Aetherion as Jessica, Vince, and ates Bryant

arrived at the Zimmerman family estate.

Jessica's heart pounded the

moment she climbed out of the car and stood before the front door She was abou to see her mother after all

these years.

"Jessy, con," Vince urged gently.

A housekeeper spotted Vince and immediately opened the door.

Yates followed the siblings inside.

At this early hour, the house was hushed and still.

As they stepped into the courtyard, a fit of coughing echoed from inside.

A woman's cough.

It had to be her mother.

Jessica's hands shook. Was it that unbreakable bond between mother and daughter? Without thinking, she

dropped her suitcase and hurried forward.

She didn't remember her mother-didn't remember anything at all. But Vince had told her how after she'd

disappeared, their mother had fallen ill her health broken by grief, hanging on by sheer force of will. sWw

"Jessy, slow down," Vince called, catching up. "This way."

He guided her to a bedroom door and knocked softly. "Mom? Are you awake?"

"Vince? Why didn't you call ahead? Cin, cin," Mrs. Zimmerman's voice floated through the door-gentle,

but so frail.

She started to cough again, and Zachary hurried to pour her swarm water.

Vince squeezed Jessica's hand, his own trembling. "I wanted to bring you to Mom and Dad myself."

He kept hold of her hand as they walked in.

Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman both looked up.

For a moment, Mrs. Zimmerman just stared, stunned. The mug slipped from her

fingers, spilling water across the sheets.

Her eyes reddened instantly; tears streamed down her face.

"Salome..."

"My Salome..."

She whispered the nas if it were a prayer.

Then, before anyone could stop her, she threw off the covers and tried to get up,

almost losing her balance.

Zachary caught her just in tas she struggled toward Jessica, her voice breaking. "Salome!"

"My Salome, oh—"

Jessica let go of Vince's hand and rushed into her mother's arms.

Before she could say a word, Mrs. Zimmerman grabbed her in a fierce embrace, sobbing uncontrollably and

chanting her daughter's nover and over.

Jessica, swept up in her mother's overwhelming emotion, felt her own tears pour down.

Yates stood quietly at the doorway, his nose stinging.

So this is what it means to be a mother, he thought. Even after all these years apart, a mother can recognize her

child in an instant.

What a tragedy.

Timothy had married her and kept her hidden for seven years.

Seven years-Salhad been so close to them all this time...