Goodbye, Mr. Regret

There was a time when Timothy got injured and ended up in the hospital, unable to move. Jessica was the one who stayed by his side, tending to his every need with tireless devotion.

She was the only person who knew his deepest secrets. He knew, with absolute certainty, that no one could ever replace her in his life.

At one point, Timothy stubbornly insisted on calling the doctor over just so he could have his casted leg lowered and, balancing on one knee, hop to the bathroom by himself-anything to avoid being cared for by the hospital attendant.

He even refused to eat the breakfast Sallie brought him, settling for nothing but water.

After that, Timothy lay in bed, completely ignoring everyone around him.

Phelps tried to bring up the subject of the divorce with Jessica, but Timothy wouldn't even give him the chance to speak.

In truth, Phelps had never supported Timothy's decision to divorce Jessica. He feared that, once divorced, Timothy would be left vulnerable, and Sheila might swoop in during his lowest moment. The thought of that troubled him even more than if Timothy had married someone who couldn't speak.

But Timothy had gone too far in what he'd done to Jessica. With Jessica talking about pressing charges, Phelps knew he had to find a way to grant her request- for Timothy's own future, if nothing else.

Sallie, along with her son and grandson, stood clustered outside the hospital

room.

Sallie's heart ached to see Timothy refusing to eat. She tried calling Jessica again, but Jessica didn't answer. Frustrated, she couldn't help but complain, "I just don't get it. Timothy's been hurt so badly, and Jessy won't even pick up the phone. How can she just ignore her own husband? What on earth is she doing?"

Naylor frowned. "I'll send someone to look for her. Timothy won't let us or the nurse take care of him-she's the only one he'll allow."

Phelps stayed quiet. The fewer people who knew about the incident, the better. "Go ahead and look for her," he said. "The sooner you find her, the better."

On the way home, Phelps tried calling Jessica too, but she didn't pick up.

Jessica had fallen into a deep sleep and didn't wake until morning light streamed into her room.

She'd had a string of fragmented dreams-some about her childhood, where she seemed to have a grandfather and a brother, though she could never quite make out their faces.

It struck her as odd, since those people never existed.

She also dreamed of Timothy.

Maybe it was because of the picture he'd sent. In her dream, she found herself caring for him as he lay in a hospital bed.

Jessica rubbed her aching temples, unwilling to think about anything related to Timothy.

It wasn't until she got out of bed and went to wash up that she realized her throat felt much better.

Even though Herbert hadn't

examined her in person, the medication he'd prescribed was surprisingly effective. She hadn't expected his skills to be so O impressive.

And for the first time in days, she managed to brush her teeth without gagging.

When she came out of the

bathroom, she poured out the cold

broth she hadn't finished the night

before, planning to go out for breakfast. Just then, she heard a knock at the door.

Was it Herbert?

She hurried over and opened it.

Herbert stood there, looking exhausted, stubble shadowing his jaw. He was alone, holding a bag in one hand, standing in her doorway.

The moment he saw her, he stepped inside and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her so close she could barely breathe.noveldrama

"Little Mute," he murmured, his voice rough and heavy with sorrow. "I'm so sorry..."

His words were full of guilt and pain-and, most of all, concern.

He couldn't begin to imagine what she'd endured to escape from Timothy.

He'd wanted so badly to protect her, and yet he'd been powerless.

Jessica thought he was blaming himself for Timothy threatening the Wheeler Group, for forcing her to go back to Timothy.

She slipped out of Herbert's arms and signed gently, her gestures soft and reassuring. "This wasn't your fault. There's no need to apologize. From the very beginning, it was Timothy who went too far. I'm so grateful for everything you've done-for helping me, for treating my throat. You've done more than enough, really. Timothy is capable of

anything-please don't doubt

yourself because of him."