Goodbye, Mr. Regret

As soon as Vince saw Jessica off, he jumped into his car and sped to the hospital.

By the time he arrived, Timothy was already in surgery. Standing outside the operating room was a man Vince didn't recognize.

"Were you the one I just spoke to on the phone?"

The truck driver nodded, his face drawn with guilt. "I was making a turn, but he was driving really fast-he came out of nowhere. I hit the brakes, but it was too late. He swerved, crashed into the guardrail, and then my truck hit the back of his car. I called the police right away. They've sent people to investigate the accident..."

Vince's brow furrowed with worry. The driver looked like an ordinary working man, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Just looking at Timothy's car, Vince could tell the repairs would be far beyond what the driver could afford. And now, someone was injured. No matter whose fault the speed was, the driver was turning-he was supposed to yield. He'd have to bear responsibility for that.

Vince understood how hard life was for people at the bottom. He offered some reassurance, “Don't worry too much. You didn't run you helped get him to the hospital. The authorities will figure out what's fair."

He could only hope Timothy would pull through.

When Vince called the Lawsons, the entire family rushed to the hospital.

When the truck driver saw the crowd of Lawsons pouring in, he turned pale.

Vince told him quietly, "Go find the police. I'll handle things here."

The driver hurried away, grateful to escape the intensity of the moment.

Sallie, her face ashen with worry, grabbed Vince by the arm the moment she saw him. "Vince, how did this happen? How did Timothy end up in a car crash?"

"Maybe he was on the phone and didn't see what was ahead. I happened to be talking to him when it happened I heard the crash myself. We'll have to wait for him to wake up and tell us what happened."

Vince kept the details vague, careful not to say anything that might make the Lawsons blame Jessica.

Meanwhile, Jessica was already on her way to the airport, having booked the first ticket to Aetherion she could find.

She arrived safely, though she'd barely eaten and felt weak and lightheaded.

In the back of the cab, she pulled out her phone and began to type a message.

Mr. Zimmerman, thank you. I've arrived and am heading to the airport now...

Her fingers hovered over the screen, tempted to write more. She starte te

to type another sentence, but deleted it as soon as she wrote the first word.

After several false starts, all she sent was that one simple line.

Back at the hospital, Timothy was still in surgery.

The Lawsons waited anxiously, their faces growing darker with worry as time dragged on.

Timothy was the center of the Lawson family-none of them could bear the thought of losing him.

Vince noticed Jessica's message and quickly replied.

No need to thank me. Safe travels-go chase your dreams. Be happy. If I ever make it to Aetherion, I'll visit you.

Jessica's phone chimed. She

opened the message, but after reading it, her eyes dimmed and her han lowered to her lap, the phone slipping from her grasp.

Everything went smoothly from there: check-in, security, boarding.noveldrama

As she stepped onto the flight to Aetherion, she felt as if the tightness in her chest finally began to ease. Yet, there was still a thread puffing at her heart-one gentle tug, and the pain returned.

She took her seat, closed her eyes, and willed herself not to think anymore.

She just wanted to breathe freely.

More than anything, she wanted to set herself free.

Timothy's surgery dragged on for three long hours.

Finally, the doors to the operating room swung open. The Lawsons surged

forward, bombarding the doctors with questions.

Vince couldn't even squeeze through the crowd.

"Doctor, how is my brother? Is he going to be alright?"

"Doctor, money is no issue. My grandson has to make it!”

"Yes, my son can't die-we'll pay whatever it takes, just save him!"