Goodbye, Mr. Regret

He'd walked right up to Jessica—a woman he'd never even met before—and

proposed to her on the spot.

Even now, he couldn't forget the way she looked at him in stunned silence, her

eyes wide and searching.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

Waiting for her answer, he'd felt a strange mix of emotions—an unfamiliar struggle

twisting inside him. Would she say yes? Would she turn him down?

After what felt like forever, she finally smiled and nodded.

The tension in his chest unraveled in an instant, his heart swelling so wide it felt

as if it could contain mountains and rivers.

It wasn't that he didn't have feelings; he was just always so reserved, so careful

with himself.

That impulsive rush carried him all the way to the courthouse.

It was only when he stood there, marriage certificate in hand, the seal still fresh,

that it hit him—how reckless he'd been.

He told himself to calm down, to think.

That was when she brought up taking wedding photos.

He refused.

Now Timothy wondered if maybe, from that very moment, he'd already started to

hurt her.

"Timothy?"

Her voice pulled him back to the present. "You should go home," he said quietly.

"I'm fine."

He couldn't let Sheila get any closer to him. If things kept going this way, the

distance between him and Jessica would only grow.

Sheila was stunned. Of all the things Timothy could have said to her, "go home"

was the last she'd expected.

Trying to hold herself together, she protested, "You're hurt so badly—how can I

just leave you here?"

Timothy murmured, "She's hurting more than I am."

"You mean Jessica?" Sheila faltered, caught off guard. "Don't worry, Vince told me

—she's not hurt at all."

He knew Jessica wasn't physically injured.

Her wounds were deeper.

Timothy was beginning to understand. His own injuries could be treated with

medicine and rest. But the pain inside Jessica—there was no cure for that.

For her to grab the steering wheel today, knowing her temperament, it had to be

more than a split-second impulse.

She really wanted out.

Maybe he should let her go. Maybe it was time to stop clutching that marriage

certificate like a shackle.

But every time he imagined letting go—releasing the kite string he'd held so tightly

—his heart felt empty, hollowed out.

His silence was driving Sheila mad. They were in the same room, but his mind

was somewhere else—somewhere with Jessica.

Jessica was becoming heavier and heavier in his world.

And he knew now that Jessica was Salome.

Sheila felt as if an invisible fist was tightening around her heart.

She'd tried so hard, for so many years, but the man she loved was slipping further

and further away.

Finally, Timothy's gaze returned to Sheila. "Go home. Don't make me say it

again."

His words were calm, but they crashed through Sheila's heart like waves

pounding against the shore, each one tearing at the wounds inside her.

She left in tears, her back straight and proud, but so utterly alone.noveldrama

Timothy closed his eyes. His face was empty, emotionless.

Jessica and Herbert had left half an hour before Vince, arriving barely ten minutes

ago when Vince finally showed up.

Vince stared at the small, simple cottage, his heart aching for reasons he couldn't

quite name.

At least the place was cozy and welcoming inside.

Jessica invited Vince to sit in the living room. As she prepared some tea, Vince

took in the space, then finally asked in a trembling, hoarse voice, "Jess, did you

grow up here?"

There was something raw in his voice, and the way he looked at her—so intent,

so filled with an emotion Herbert couldn't quite name—made the whole room feel

unsettled.

Vince made no attempt to hide how much he cared about Jessica.

"I used to live with my mom in the city. After she passed away, I moved in with my

grandmother. So yes, I suppose this is where I spent most of my childhood."

"It's small, but it's warm. Your grandmother must have loved you very much."

Jessica smiled softly. Yes, her grandmother had loved her deeply.

To treat Jessica's mutism, her

grandmother had worked herself to

the bone. She'd been tricked and

taken advantage of, and the regret

of not being able to cure Jessica's

illness had weighed heavily on her.

In the end, the double blow was too

much; she'd passed away with that

regret still in her heart.

Now, Jessica had finally come face-to-face with the man responsible. But she was

powerless to seek justice for her grandmother—not right away, not yet.

And he was Sheila's father. In the future, Timothy would probably keep getting

involved, for Sheila's sake.

Her whole life had changed since she met Timothy.

"Yes," she said quietly. "Grandma loved me. She taught me how to survive—she

was my hero."

Her father had abandoned her, but her grandmother never did.

Vince took a shaky breath. "Jess, do you have any childhood photos around

here?"

"I do."

Was Vince planning to piece

together her whole life story?

Herbert couldn't take it anymore and

interrupted, "Mr. Zimmerman, it's

almost lunchtime and my car's

nearly out of gas. Mind driving me to

pick up some food?"

Vince could see the wariness in Herbert's eyes, and relented. "Sure."

As he stood up, he turned back to

Jessica. "The other day, I sent you

and Daisy's photo to my friends.

People keep saying you two look

alike. Just wanted to compare your

childhood pictures—see if the

resemblance is real."

"Alright. You guys go pick up lunch—I'll find the photos."

Vince headed out with Herbert. As Herbert pulled open the passenger door, he

said, "Get in."

"I thought you were almost out of gas," Vince replied dryly.

"Mr. Zimmerman, you're a smart man. I'm sure you know exactly why I wanted

you to come with me."