Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"I just hope we hear something this time."

Over the years, Mrs. Zimmerman's health had steadily declined. Now, her face looked more drawn and frail than ever.

Vince's heart ached for her. "Mom, we'll find my little sister. I promise."

He didn't dare let himself hope too much, but it was all he could do to comfort her.

Ever since his sister went missing, their mother's health had only gotten worse. There had been several times when the doctors warned them she might not make it through the night.

But she clung to that one obsession in her heart. Again and again, she'd pulled through against the odds, yet her body grew weaker with each ordeal. Now, she was truly at her limit.

Vince could only say these words, wishing his mother would hold on just a little longer.

Knowing he had just arrived, Mrs. Zimmerman didn't keep Vince for long. She sent him off to get some rest.

Vince had barely laid down when his phone buzzed. It was Timothy calling.

"Did you see her yet?"

Vince groaned. "You're relentless. I just got here, finally took a shower, and I'm trying to get over the jet lag. Can't you let me sleep first? I'm exhausted."

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Timothy had already hung up.

Vince stared at his phone, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Serves you right. Now you're worried-about time, too.

Since Timothy couldn't get to the office, he'd been handling business from his hospital room.noveldrama

That's when Ines called.

After Timothy took Jessica away last time, Ines hadn't seen her since.

She'd tried reaching Jessica today, but there was no answer, so she called Timothy instead. She also wanted to talk about Sheila.

Timothy picked up.

Ines had long since realized that Timothy and Jessica's marriage wasn't as perfect as she'd once thought, so she chose her words carefully.

"Timothy, I tried calling Jessy, but she didn't answer. Is something going on with her?"

"She's out of the country," he replied.

It was his own mess, and he didn't really want to explain how it happened.

Ines sounded surprised, "So you agreed to let her work for Mr. Smith?" "Yeah."

His plan was to coordinate with Mr. Smith so Jessy could work from

home, but she'd already left the country. With his broken leg, Timothy was stuck in place; he figured he'd revisit the issue once he could get around again. In the meantime, at least she could focus

on her work with Mr. Smith.

He'd let her go on this business trip.

"That's good, then. Last time she mentioned... divorce..." Ines's voice was tinged with concern.

"I'm not divorcing her," Timothy said quietly. "When I married her, I never even considered it. Things have been messy at home, and we've been at odds, but I'll talk to her. Ines, don't have to worry about her."

YOU

Timothy's reassurance let Ines breathe a little easier.

After all, Jessy had chosen Timothy without hesitation all those years ago.

She'd given up her own promising future to walk this path. Now that things had come to this, Ines didn't want to see her lose.

"Okay. I called for another reason, too. Sheila hasn't come to the studio for three or four days. I can't reach her. Do you know if she'll be coming back?"

Now that Jessy could work again, once she finished up with Mr. Smith, Ines wanted to focus on mentoring her. As for Sheila, Ines was willing to guide her if she needed it, but

disappearing every few days just wasn't acceptable.

“I'll get in touch and check on her. Maybe something's come up on her end."

"That's all I had. I'll let you go. Goodbye."

After returning to Aetherion, Sheila had barely left her apartment for days.

Since she left, Timothy hadn't reached out.

She felt miserable.

Then her phone rang. She glanced at the screen-it was Timothy calling.