Goodbye, Mr. Regret

The butler kept his head down, nervous they might blame him for not stopping Timothy.

Honestly, in a situation like this, what could he have done?

Vince understood. None of them had been around, and Timothy had brought in a specialist for Grandpa, trying to help. What could he really say?

Still, it bothered him. He muttered under his breath, "All for show."

By now, Larkin had drifted off to sleep and was out of immediate danger. They could finally breathe a little easier.

But Jessica still couldn't relax. She asked the butler which room Daisy was in. He gave her the number, and Jessica asked Vince to go with her.

As they reached the door, Jessica peeked through the small window. She saw Timothy carrying a basin of water out of the room. He wrung out a towel, folded it neatly, gently lifted the one from Daisy's forehead, and replaced it with the fresh

one.

Jessica paused, transfixed.

So, he did know how to look after a sick child.

But in the past, he never bothered.

Maybe because she had always taken care of it all.

Vince glanced at Jessica, unsure what was running through her mind. He could never forgive Timothy for treating her so coldly, and whispered, "Should we go in?"

Jessica turned, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Daisy is a Zimmerman. Of course we'll look after her."

Vince raised his hand and knocked. Inside, Timothy was wringing out another towel. He looked up just as Vince pushed the door open.

Jessica stood at Vince's side.

Timothy's hand loosened, and the towel slipped into the basin, sending up tiny splashes.

It had only been three or four days, but seeing her again made it painfully clear- he'd missed her with every fiber of his being.

Waves of longing crashed through him.

Suddenly, he bolted upright and rushed to Jessica. Even with Vince there, he pulled her into a fierce embrace, as if he could press her into himself, as if holding her tightly enough would keep her from ever leaving again.

He couldn't take life without her anymore.

Before, he'd traveled all the time, and often didn't see her for days. But knowing she was at home made it bearable-he never had to worry about coming back to an empty house.

Now, though, the house without her in it wasn't home anymore.

All that was left was coldness and loneliness.

Even if someone cooked, it never felt like a real home.

"Jessy..."noveldrama

He said her name hoarsely, his voice thick with tenderness.

Jessica tried to push him away, but he only held her tighter.

Vince grabbed Timothy's sleeve and yanked him off her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Jessica calmly smoothed the wrinkles he'd left on her blouse, her movements chilly and distant, as if he were a stranger.

Timothy felt the words stick in his throat.

When she looked up again, her voice was as cold as her manner. "We're all here now. Daisy doesn't need you anymore. You can go."

She knew she ought to thank him for taking care of Daisy, out of basic courtesy.

But she couldn't bring herself to say it.

If she did, he might think she still wanted a future with him.

Jessica brushed past him, trailing a familiar scent in her wake.

She didn't spare him a second glance.

She went to the bedside, picked up the basin, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Vince tugged Timothy's arm, pulling him out into the hallway and closed the door behind them.

"Timothy, haven't you had enough? Your marriage is already over-are you trying to make her feel guilty now?"

"No. I just happened to be here. Even if she weren't, it was your grandfather-l couldn't ignore him. And Daisy-she's family to you. How could I just walk away?"

Vince pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, his voice low and hard. "Let's just cut ties, Timothy. That way you won't get the wrong idea and keep meddling in Zimmerman family business."

They'd known each other for years. Vince hated saying it, but he couldn't just forget everything Timothy had put Jessica through, no matter how much help he'd offered now.