Goodbye, Mr. Regret

She didn't say anything to Jessica. Instead, she turned to Vince. "Haven't you figured out what Timothy really wants? Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's trying to change. Last time he came to your family, the Zimmermans, he was sincere. And how did you treat him? You kept shutting him out, never giving him a chance. Well, now look where that's gotten us-he's dying. Are you happy now? If he dies, will you be able to live with yourself?"

Sallie was worried sick about Timothy-her own little brother, her flesh and blood. She knew she should keep quiet, that now wasn't the time for arguments, but she just couldn't hold it in.

She couldn't stand watching her brother humiliate himself again and again, lowering his pride for Jessica's forgiveness, while the Zimmermans refused to give him so much as a crumb of hope.

Vince clenched his jaw, knowing full well that Sallie was lashing out because she cared about Timothy. But he was at his limit too.

He had just opened his mouth to speak when Jessica cut in, facing Sallie. "Why are you blaming my brother for what happened to Timothy? Is it really his fault? Does this have anything to do with him? Is this how the Lawsons handle things- by blaming everyone else?"

"Did I blame you?" Sallie retorted, voice sharp. "Honestly, I'd love to blame you, but I wouldn't dare. Right now, you're all my brother cares about I can't risk upsetting you. The second he wakes up, the first thing he'll do is blame me. It's funny how life turns out, isn't it?"

Sallie knew Jessica's real identity-she knew she was Salome-and she truly wanted to treat her better. But now, with her own brother's life hanging by a thread, all her composure was unraveling.

Frankly, the fact that she hadn't completely lost it was a miracle.

Jessica's expression remained calm. "You have no right to blame me. He put himself at risk to save someone else. So, Miss Lawson, what gives you the right to point fingers at my brother-or at me?"

Sallie was so stunned, she couldn't get another word out.

Jessica had endured seven years of a miserable, broken marriage, and she'd accepted every bit of it. She'd made her choice when she married Timothy. She wouldn't blame anyone else.

Sallie turned away, refusing to say another word. There was no point arguing anymore. What was done was done.

All she could do now was pray that Timothy would make it through surgery alive.

Jessica's words made Vince realize, more than ever, just how clear-headed she truly was. She simply refused to waste her energy on things that no longer mattered to her.

Sallie, on the other hand, was infamous for her temper, yet Jessica's quiet, measured words had left her speechless.

In the past, Jessica had always tolerated Sallie's behavior, never pushing back.

Such a good woman-yet Timothy only realized her worth when he was on the verge of losing her.

If things hadn't come to this, the two of them would have been the kind of couple others envied.

The surgery dragged on.

During the ordeal, Sallie had to sign

four separate "critical condition"

notices Each time, Phelps and

Naylor nearly fainted from thenoveldrama

stress.

With every signature, Jessica felt her hope sinking further and further.

It was as if a fragile blossom had sprouted in her heart, only to be battered by storm after storm

slowly withering awael

SWen

But she still clung to hope-hoping that after the rain, the sun would shine again.

Timothy, you can't die.

I'm the one with cancer.

If someone has to die, it should be me first.

We both knew I was supposed to go first. What right do you have to leave before I do?

Your son-your stubborn, reckless son-still needs you. You're not dumping him

on me.

Timothy...

Hold on.

Finally, the light above the operating room flickered off. The doctor hadn't

come out yet, but every single

member of the Lawson family

crowded around the door, hearts in their throats.

Jessica simply looked up, eyes fixed on the operating room.

The surgery had started before noon, and now night had fallen.

Jessica had survived countless lonely days and nights; she knew that waiting only stretched time out even further.