Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She always tried her best to help others within her own abilities.

"Don't worry. Everything will get better-trust me," Vince said, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Jessica nodded quietly.

Vince glanced at the sketchbook in her hands. "If flipping through that book makes you feel uneasy right now, you don't have to look at it."

"I know," she replied softly.

He gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "Try to get some rest, okay?"

When Vince left, he pulled the door closed behind him with care.

As her older brother, he'd been there through her divorce from Timothy. He knew all too well how hard it would be for her to truly forget him. Childhood affection that lingers into adulthood can root itself deep in your bones. The deeper the roots, the more it hurts to pull them out.

For Jessica, moving on and saying goodbye to the past must feel almost impossible. Even as an outsider, Vince felt a sharp ache just watching her struggle.

He wondered how much kindness and care it would take to heal the wounds she carried.

In her bedroom, Jessica sat with the sketchbook in her lap, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to open it again. She slid it into her drawer and closed it, deciding to leave it alone for now.

The next morning, Mrs. Zimmerman took her children to the hospital to visit Larkin.

Vince's father was already by Larkin's side, and today Vince was coming to take over so Zachary could go home and rest.

Larkin had woken up that morning, and when Jessica entered the hospital room, his face lit up, though he was so weak that even saying her name took effort.

Jessica hurried to his bedside, sat down, and took his hand in hers.

"Grandpa, are you feeling any better today?"

"I... I'm much better, Jessy. I saw your movie. You're truly the pride of the Zimmerman family," Larkin said, his voice frail but filled with warmth.

The thought of everything Jessica had achieved-especially after losing her voice -moved her grandfather more than he could express.

"It wasn't just me," Jessica replied. "There were so many people working hard behind the scenes."

She chatted with Larkin for a while, careful not to tire him out. Since he was still so weak, she kept the conversation short.

Vince stayed behind to keep Larkin company, while Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman led Jessica toward the elevator to head home.

But as the elevator doors slid open, they found Timothy standing inside.

He was planning to go home to cook for Henry and bring back some clean clothes. Timothy's shirt was wrinkled, his stubble unshaven, and his bloodshot eyes betrayed his exhaustion; his usually handsome features were clouded with fatigue. Cóntent

Seeing him, Jessica and her family hesitated. Rather than step inside, they waited for the next elevator.

The doors closed automatically a moment later, but before they could fully shut, Timothy pressed the button and opened them again, expecting them to get in.

He hadn't realized that his presence was enough to make them wait for another ride.

As the doors parted, Timothy stepped out.

"Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom," he greeted, acting as if nothing was wrong.

His casual tone only made things more awkward, and both Zachary and Mrs. Zimmerman's expressions soured.

Zachary's brows drew together.

"When you helped find a

cardiovascular specialist for Jessy's

grandfather, I thanked you. I won't

forget what you did for us, but we also won't forget how much you hurt Jessy. So, 'Mom' and 'Dad' you don't need to call us that anymore. We don't deserve it."

Timothy didn't flinch. "Jessy and I are still married for another week ornoveldrama

so. Until it's over, calling you Mome and Dad is just what's proper. Grandpa's sick-whether or Jessy's husband, I have an

obligation to help. You don't owe me anything for that. And as for why I kept Jessy's family history from her, it was because..."