Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Maybe some things really are destined.

Before Timothy left on his business trip, Jessica had planned to talk things through with him. She didn't want any misunderstandings to hurt their marriage, or come between her and their son—it just wasn't worth it.

She had only just started caring for Henry at the hospital, even going so far as to wear the voice-activated ring Timothy had given her, hoping it might help.

Then everything fell apart. Still clinging to hope, she called Timothy, but it was Sheila who answered. Sheila said Timothy was asleep.

Even Henry himself said he was just calling Sheila "Mom" because she was the one with him-he insisted Jessica was still his real mother.

That was the final blow. It was enough to make Jessica give up on the marriage completely.

She closed the messages and didn't read any further.

The candles on the cake were almost burned down.

She'd lit them at 10:30 p.m.-the exact time Henry had been born.

She'd given birth naturally. When she and the baby came out of the delivery room, Timothy had taken their son from the nurse's arms, his eyes shining with tears as he thanked her, thanked her for making him a father.

They'd been married a year by then.

Timothy's joy and gratitude had given her hope-maybe, just maybe, they still had a chance.

But as time went on... that hope faded, until there was nothing left.

Jessica blew out the candles.

Outside, Vince stood watching, his face expressionless.

He didn't know what Jessica would ultimately choose, but he knew she must be torn up inside.

Seven years with the man she once loved.

A son she'd carried for nine months and raised herself.

These were the two people no daughter could ever truly let go.

To walk away from them took all the courage she had.

Just when it seemed she was finally breaking free, father and son both ended up

in hospital beds, admitting their mistakes.

How was she supposed to choose?

If she turned her back, she'd be accused of being heartless, leaving her husband and son to their fate.

If she stayed, she'd be seen as weak-hurt so deeply, yet unable to move on.

Vince understood-Jessica didn't want to go back; she was bound by blood.

No one realized she was the one suffering most.

Others might not care, but Vince did.

Whatever Jessica decided, he'd support her. Always.

The next day.

Vince got a call from the hospital overseas.

His heart leaped-there had to be news!

If his liver was he'd

a match for Jessica's,

Town her abroad for

without hesitation.

"Hello, Doctor? Was my liver a match for my sister?"

“Mr. Zimmerman, I'm sorry. The match wasn't successful."

Vince nearly lost his balance.

He was the most suitable donor in the family.

If he wasn't a match, they'd have to turn to their parents.

But their mother's health was fragile.

Their father wasn't young anymore-recovery would be much harder for him.

And after only just getting their

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back, Vince was ter theirnoveldrama

parents.

He clenched his fists, unable to understand why Jessica's fate had to be so cruel.

"What about my friend? Was he a match?"

"I'm sorry, he wasn't either. Please

try to contact other relatives

eet

as possible." Content belo as soon

Vince forced himself to say, "Okay. I understand."

What now?

He'd have to tell Jessica, and break the news to their parents, ask them to get tested.

A while later, Vince's phone rang. Yates was calling-he must have gotten the news too.

Vince answered.

"What now? No matches."

"We'll have to ask my father to do it."