Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince didn't bother to spare Timothy's pride.

"Herbert's the one who can't control himself. He knows she's married, but he still chases after her like a lovesick puppy. And you don't act innocent. Are you aiming to be the other man, or maybe third in line? If either of you had a shred of decency, you wouldn't be entertaining thoughts about her at all. It's not like there aren't single women left in the world."

Timothy shrugged it off. "Honestly, I think Herbert's feelings for Jessy are sincere, but he keeps it respectful. If you're so worried about other men, maybe you're getting ahead of yourself. Once you're out of the picture, what's stopping them from pursuing her openly? If you want to compete, I'm not sure you'd even make it to the starting line."

Timothy was unruffled. "I'm not going to argue with you. It's pointless. Bottom line, this whole mess is on you. You're the one who sent her away, so her wellbeing and safety are your responsibility now. If she comes back and anything's changed, it's on you. You'd better get yourself to Aetherion and keep a close eye on her."

"I'm on my way already. At least cover my flight, will you?"

"Just go!"

"Hey, you told me to go. I'm leaving. Take care of yourself," Vince said, then added, "Get out of the hospital as soon as you can-wouldn't want you to miss your day in court."

Timothy's irritation simmered.

Sending Vince to Aetherion was definitely safer than letting Herbert anywhere near Jessica.

Whatever Vince might feel for Jessica, he'd never actually cross the line. Their years of friendship meant too much to him; he wasn't about to stab Timothy in the back.

But Herbert was different.

The lengths he'd already gone to...

Timothy grabbed the glass from his bedside table and drained it in one gulp.

Just then, Vince's parting words echoed in his mind: Get out of the hospital soon, wouldn't want you to miss your court date.

He still hadn't seen the official summons. Timothy picked up his phone and called Secretary Allen.

"Yes, President Lawson?"

"Check the court date on the summons for me."

"One moment, sir."

A short pause. Then Allen came back with the answer-thirteen days until the hearing.

Thirteen days.

Enough time to be discharged.

So that's what Vince meant...

A faint, wry smile tugged at Timothy's lips.noveldrama

Jessica took a day to rest, and the

next

her toning Herbert arrived to take

e hospital for her minim

invasive procedure.

She'd never had major surgery before, and it was hard not to be nervous.

Herbert tried to reassure her.

Medical technology had come a long way, he said. They'd use anesthesia, she'd take a nap, and it would all be over before she knew it. He'd be there the whole time, so

Some could

retax.

"You'll be the one doing the surgery?"

He nodded.

He'd personally developed this whole treatment plan; nobody knew it better than

he did.

Nothing mattered more to him than making Little Mute well again.

They'd known each other for so many years, Jessica trusted Herbert completely.

Once everything was prepared, Jessica was wheeled into surgery.

Herbert, now in surgical scrubs and nearly unrecognizable, stepped into the operating room with a new air about him-meticulous, focused, and more mature than ever. Content

Jessica hoped he'd always be like this. It was the side of him she admired most. Steadily growing, always improving.

The anesthesiologist administered the sedative, and Jessica drifted off to sleep.

Vince arrived in Aetherion and headed straight to Jessica's apartment, but it was empty.

He tried calling her, but she didn't answer. He managed to get Herbert's number and called him too-no answer there either.

A flicker of panic set in.

Had Herbert taken her somewhere?

Just as he was starting to worry, Herbert called him back.