Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Vince's eyes reddened instantly. "You silly girl, it's been over three months-why didn't you ever say a word?"

"When I was diagnosed, the doctor said I'd missed the window for surgery. I only had six months left, so I thought I'd get divorced and spend my last days alone. But as time went on, so many things changed my mind. Like when Ines first wanted to introduce me to Mr. Smith, and he said he could recommend a specialist from abroad to treat my aphasia. I didn't take the offer. I figured nothing could be fixed in six months, and I couldn't keep working in animation anyway. But after everything that happened with them—father and son—I started wanting to live for myself. Then, when I unexpectedly spoke again, Herbert's people said my aphasia could actually be cured..."

Jessica poured out everything she'd kept bottled up, letting Vince see the twists and turns of her heart during those dark days.

Vince felt as if someone was carving up his chest with a knife.

"Does Timothy know?"

Jessica shook her head. "No, he doesn't."

"You're this sick, and he didn't notice at all?"

A wry smile tugged at Jessica's lips. "His heart was never with me. Even if I coughed up blood in front of him, it wouldn't occur to him that I was sick."

"You actually did cough up blood in front of him, and he didn't do anything?" She nodded.noveldrama

That day, Sheila was hurt and bleeding badly. Timothy only cared about rushing Sheila to the hospital. Whether Jessica was spitting blood or not, he never even glanced her way.

At that moment, Vince felt he'd been far too gentle with Timothy. Earlier today, when he'd seen Timothy coughing up blood, Vince had even felt a pang of sympathy for him out of old friendship.

Now he bitterly regretted it.

He swore he'd never feel sorry for that man again.

If he ever saw him, the only proper response would be to drive a knife straight into his heart.

Vince was aching, panicked, and flustered. "Jessy, come on. I'm taking you to the hospital right now for a full check-up. I'll find you the very best doctors. We'll get you through this-I promise."

Jessica smiled softly. "Don't worry, big brother 'm already doing much better. Last time I was abroad, I got checked out, and the doctors said the cancer cells were under control, and might be eligible for a liver transplant. I went to Hollis mainly to see if he was a match, since waiting for a donor could take ages. Turns out, he's not my biological father."

"That's alright. You have me. I'll get tested, and if I'm a match, I'll give you part of

my liver. I won't let you die, I swear it."

Jessica melted into Vince's arms. She'd known that the moment she told him,

he'd do anything to save her.

"Don't tell Mom and Dad yet."

"Alright, I won't. They wouldn't be able to take it. Honestly, I can hardly believe it myself. Jessy, my heart is breaking for you. You've suffered so much You couldn't speak, and the Lawsons treated you so terribly. I always thought they were heartless, but this..."

Vince's voice trembled, tears threatening. "I never imagined you had a terminal

illness, and no one cared for you. My poor Salome..."

"Don't be sad, big brother. Isn't

everything finally moving in the right.

direction? I can talk again, the

cancer might be treatable-my life

actually feels hopeful now. You

should be happy for me, not sad."

Vince's tears spilled over.

His Salome was still just as she'd been as a child—thoughtful, always putting others first, always quick to comfort him.

She had cancer and was still trying to cheer him up. Someone so optimistic must have been through hell to end up like this.

He gently rubbed Jessica's back. "Which hospital did you get checked at? I'll go first thing in the morning and get tested to see if I'm a match."