Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Mr. Lawson, we've located your wife. She was found unconscious in her hotel

room. The doctors are trying to resuscitate her."

"What exactly happened?"

Timothy's features darkened, his expression chilling.

"We'll know more once the doctors have stabilized her. Please come to Capital City Hospital as soon as possible."

"I'm already on my way. Thank you."

The driver pulled up short at a roadblock.

"I'm sorry, sir, I can't take you any further. This is as close as I can get."

"That's fine."

Timothy paid the fare, jumped out, and dashed into the rain.

The downpour was relentless; within moments, he was soaked to the bone. His clothes clung to his skin, heavy and uncomfortable, and his shoes quickly filled with water. Disgusted, he kicked them off and left them behind.

He had never been so disheveled, so desperate. Barefoot, he waded through the muddy water, his sharp features set in a grim line, brows drawn so tightly together that a deep crease cut across his forehead.

Still, he pressed on, step by painful step.noveldrama

When Jessica opened her eyes again, everything around her was bathed in harsh, sterile light. The thunder outside had faded to a distant rumble.

She realized she was in a hospital.

Turning her head, she was startled to see Herbert sitting nearby.

Her eyes trembled with emotion.

Last night, gripped by fear and panic, the only person she'd thought to call for help was Timothy. He... hadn't come.

A familiar ache tightened in her chest.

Herbert's worried gaze met hers. "You're awake. Are you feeling alright? Do you want me to call a doctor?"

Jessica shook her head gently.

She knew she was just in shock.

The night her mother jumped from the window, the storm had raged just like this. Her father had locked her alone in the house, and she'd spent the entire night in terror. It was her grandmother who'd found her unconscious the next day and rushed her to the hospital.

From that day on, Jessica hadn't spoken a word.

She'd been afraid of thunder ever since—afraid of lightning, of the howl of the wind outside her window.

Still reeling from the memories, Jessica didn't ask Herbert how he'd found her. She simply met his gaze, reached out with her unbandaged hand, and gave him a small, weak thumbs-up-her way of saying thank you.

Exhaustion washed over her, and she let her eyes drift closed once more.

Herbert didn't disturb her. He just sat quietly by her bedside, keeping watch. Before long, Jessica slipped back into sleep.

When she woke again, daylight had filled the room. The rain had stopped; the wind was gone. Sunlight streamed through the window, painting golden patches on the wall.

It was peaceful. For a moment, it was as if last night's terrifying storm had never happened.

Jessica pushed herself upright, and Herbert quickly grabbed a pillow to prop behind her back.

Only then did she slowly sign with her hands, "Why are you here?"

Herbert hesitated, caught off guard by the question.

After he and Jessica parted ways yesterday afternoon, he hadn't gone far, lingering near her apartment. Not long after, he saw her leave the building with her suitcase and head for the train station.

He'd asked someone to check, and learned Jessica had bought both a train ticket to Riverside City and a plane ticket to Capital City. So he'd driven back to Riverside City himself and booked a flight to Capital City as well.

Around eight or nine that evening, the rain began. By eleven, the storm had grown fierce-howling wind, pounding rain, lightning splitting the sky.

He remembered how terrified Jessica was of thunderstorms. He'd sent someone

to find out which hotel she was staying at, but the storm had knocked out cell service, making it impossible to get through to her.

By the time he managed to call Jessica, her phone was already off.

It was the hospital that finally called him. Only then did he know where she was.

"I'm here on business," Herbert said softly.

He didn't tell her the truth-that he'd come because he was worried about her, that he'd followed her every step of the way.