Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 497

After saying his piece, Father Benedict gently gestured toward the porcelain teacup. “The tea’s getting cold, my friend. Please, have some.”

Timothy finished the last of his tea, warmth lingering only in memory.

Father Benedict rose from his seat. “There’s much to be done in the abbey today. I can’t keep you company for long, but please, make yourself at home. Stay as long as you wish, and leave whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you.”

“Peace be with you.”

With that, Father Benedict left the quiet sanctuary.

Timothy sat there for a long while, lost in thought. Before stepping outside, he slipped all the cash he had into the donation box by the door.

Driving home, Timothy replayed Father Benedict’s words in his mind. He wished he could do as the priest advised—let go of his pain, his obsessions. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. He’d rather drown in the ache than live without Jessica. The pain was still something he could bear. What did it matter if life was a little harder? He couldn’t imagine a world without her.

Little did he know, worse pain was waiting for him in the days to come.

Timothy returned to The Gilded Whisper Estates.

Sallie had no way of knowing where to look for him, so she’d simply waited anxiously at the estate. When she saw him walk through the door, she hurried over and grabbed his arm, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. “Why didn’t you let me know you were discharged from the hospital? I tried calling you, but you wouldn’t pick up. You have any idea how worried I was? I searched for you all morning—I was about to call the police!”

“I’m not a toddler, Sallie. You didn’t need to panic.”

“I know you’re not a child, but you’re still recovering. After everything that’s happened, you just disappear and stop answering your phone—how could I not be worried? I even thought you’d flown overseas to find Jessica. I called Vince, and he chewed me out!”

Timothy gently disentangled himself from her grip and crossed to the sofa. Sallie followed, sitting across from him.

“What did Vince say to you?” Timothy asked.

“He accused me of selective amnesia.”

“Well, he’s not wrong. Why are you upset?”

Sallie shot up from the couch, indignant. “You’re my brother! When someone gives me a hard time, you should be on my side—not sarcastic! You think Vince didn’t say anything about you?”

“What did he say?”

“He said whether you live or die, it’s got nothing to do with the Zimmerman family anymore!”

Timothy’s expression darkened, shadows settling over his features.

Sallie finally realized her words had gone too far. She sat back down, her voice softer now. “He was just upset—he didn’t mean it. You two have been close since you were kids. You always looked out for him. He’s not the type to forget old ties that easily.”

“That’s the mildest thing he could’ve said,” Timothy muttered. “He probably wishes I’d disappear for good.”

He didn’t bother defending himself or blaming Vince.

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