Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Was she just being paranoid, overthinking things again?

Right on cue, Timothy's phone buzzed. It was a call from Henry.

He answered immediately.

Henry's anxious voice came through, sharp and urgent.

"Dad, you have to come to the hospital-Great-grandpa and Aunt Sallie took Miss Sheila away. It's kind of scary."

Timothy didn't hesitate; he quickly set Jessica down and spoke into the phone, "I'll be there right away."

He strode off in a hurry. But after a few steps, something occurred to him and he turned back. Reaching out, he cupped Jessica's neck with his large hand, pressing her gently to his chest.

With his lips close to her ear, his voice low and husky, he whispered, "I need to step out for a bit, but I'll be back soon. I'll have the bodyguards leave. Just stay home and wait for me, okay?"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. As he released her and started to go, Jessica grabbed his hand.

Timothy hugged her again, coaxing softly, "Be good. I just have to handle something. I'll be back soon."

She held his hand tightly, unable to free her fingers to sign.noveldrama

Mute, all the words she wanted to say stayed trapped inside.

She could only watch as he gently pulled away and left without looking back.

Jessica stood alone, a faint, bitter smile curling at her lips.

The call had come from Henry. If it were really about Henry, Timothy would have told her more. Who else but Sheila could make him this anxious, this tense?

She had almost believed his reassurances...

He comforted her when he wanted, left when he pleased.

In his heart, she was always optional a presence that barely mattered.

***

At the hospital, Phelps and Sallie were in Sheila's room.

Henry, worried about Sheila, knocked on the door from the hallway.

"You can't bully Miss Sheila..."

Phelps shot Sallie a look.

Sallie stepped out, scooped Henry up, and carried him back into the room.

"Aunt Sallie, put me down!" he protested.

Only after closing the door did Sallie let him go.

"You little rascal," she scolded, "since when do you take someone else's side over

your own family? Protecting that woman like she's some kind of saint."

"Aunt Sallie, what are you talking about? Miss Sheila is really nice."

Henry pouted, glaring at her in annoyance.

Sallie dropped into a chair, exasperated. "When your dad was your age, he was sharp as a tack—nothing like you. Honestly, you're hopeless. That woman is here to steal your dad away!"

Henry frowned. "Aunt Sallie, I don't know what you mean. She's just staying at our house for a few days. Why are you being so unreasonable—just like Mom?"

"You!" Sallie nearly swatted him, but relented-he was, after all, her beloved nephew. She tried to reason instead. "You're still too young to understand. Just know this: her being here threatens your mother. You should stick with your mom and help her get rid of that woman!"

"I'm not doing that," Henry shot back. "I want Miss Sheila to help me with my art contest. Aunt Sallie, Dad likes her too. Why can't you just be like Dad and like Miss Sheila?"

Sallie could only shake her head in frustration.

Sheila really had a way about her-barely back in the country and already she'd won Henry over.

And Timothy too, for that matter.

As for Jessica... utterly useless!

Sighing, Sallie could only stew.

Timothy arrived at the hospital, passing by Henry's room without stopping. He headed straight for Sheila's door.