Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert turned his head, his expression weary.

"Thank you," Sallie said softly.

Herbert looked away, not saying a word. He just didn't have the strength anymore.

Jessica gently pushed his wheelchair out of the room.

Henry watched as Jessica disappeared down the hallway, tears shimmering in his eyes. He wanted to run after her, but he was afraid she'd push him away.

Just then, Timothy was wheeled out.

All eyes immediately shifted to him.

He was still unconscious, drifting in a medicated sleep. But since the doctors had confirmed he was out of danger, they didn't send him back to the ICU—just a regular hospital room this time.

A nurse came over, her tone firm but kind. There were too many people crowding around, she explained, and it would disturb the patient's rest. Timothy was still under anesthesia and wouldn't be waking up soon, so they couldn't all stay in the room.

So Yates, Kane, and Vince waited outside.

Sallie, Thurston, Naylor, and Henry were allowed in.

Sallie leaned over to Thurston and whispered, "Go tell Grandpa the good news. If he hears Timothy's going to wake up, he'll be out of bed in no time."

"Alright, I'll go right now," Thurston replied, hurrying off.

Henry's gaze lingered on Timothy's battered form, his heart aching. "Aunt Sallie, why did Dad get hurt so badly?"

Sallie's voice was gentle. "A beam fell on him. It could have been so much worse, but he's safe now. Don't worry, Henry."

Just then, the nurse called-Henry still needed an IV. Naylor took Henry by the hand and led him out.

Soon, only Sallie was left in the room. She pulled over a chair and sat by the bed, finally allowing herself to breathe. The tension that had gripped her heart all day slowly eased. She reached for Timothy's hand, only to find his fingers clenched tightly into a fist.

Suddenly, she remembered before the surgery, Jessica had pressed a ring into Timothy's palm.

Worried the ring might hurt him, Sallie tried to gently pry open his fist, but his grip remained iron-strong; she couldn't move his fingers at all.noveldrama

Sighing, Sallie brushed Timothy's cheek with trembling fingers, her heart aching for him. "Oh, Timothy why are you so stubborn? If you care about her, why didn't you say something sooner? Why did you let Sheila get so close, when Jessy..."

Her voice trailed off, worry clouding her features. Jessica's attitude toward Herbert today had been so different. It was only this morning that Jessica had learned Herbert had spent seven years researching aphasia-all for her sake, hoping one day she'd speak again. He'd never said a word about it.

Sallie's anxiety for Timothy grew. What if Jessica chose Herbert? What would become of Timothy then?

Meanwhile, the hospital had given Herbert a private room to rest. After settling him in, Jessica helped him sit up against the pillows.

She noticed how dry and cracked his lips were and quietly went to pour him a glass of warm water.

She handed him the cup, but Herbert didn't take it right away. Instead, he studied her face, his voice tentative. "Is it because I saved Timothy today? Is that why you're being so attentive?"

He cared too much, and that made him hesitant, afraid to hope.

Jessica shook her head. "No, Herbert. I'm doing this for you-not for anyone else. Please, have some water."

The shock of what had happened still lingered in her heart.

Herbert drank the water in one long gulp.

Jessica watched him, concern softening her features. "Do you want to lie down for a bit?"

He shook his head. "No, I'll be fine just sitting here for a while."

Jessica sat beside him, emotion welling up in her chest. "Herbert, thank you for saving Timothy today."

Herbert felt his heart sink. He knew how much she cared about Timothy. Hearing her thank him on Timothy's behalf made it sting even more.

Jessica went on, her voice quiet. "If anything had happened to him, 10 would've carried that guilt forever. After all, he was hurt saving me. But you brought him back-I don't have to worry about that anymore."