Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 45

But then the memory of Henry's rejection flashed in her mind…

She abruptly pulled her hand away from Timothy's grasp.

Timothy's expression darkened, his voice icy. "You need to stop this, Jessica. Henry is sick, he's calling for his mom—are you just going to abandon your own son?"

Jessica stood motionless, unmoved.

Timothy raised a trembling finger at her, frustration etched on his face, but in the end, his hand dropped helplessly to his side.

He picked up his phone and started a video call with Mabel.

Mabel answered, the camera pointed right at Henry.

She was gently wiping Henry's forehead with a warm towel as he lay there, eyes squeezed shut in discomfort, his weak little voice calling out, "Mommy… Mommy…"

Jessica heard Henry's soft, desperate plea and her hands clenched into fists.

"Sir, I've already called an ambulance. You and your wife should hurry back," Mabel said.

"Mommy…"

Jessica nearly broke down in tears. She didn't have to see him to know just how miserable Henry was feeling right now.

Toddlers have such fragile immune systems—before the age of three, they always seem to catch fevers.

Every time Henry got sick, Jessica would stay by his side day and night, tending to him without rest.

He was her own child, the one she'd brought into this world, raised from a tiny, helpless bundle into the boy he was now…

No matter how much a son resents his mother, a mother could never resent her son.

Her heart softened, despite herself.

Jessica quickly pulled fresh clothes from her suitcase, changed, and hurried out the door.

Timothy ended the call and followed after her.

Back at The Gilded Whisper Estates.

Jessica rushed straight to Henry's room, but she froze in the doorway.

Sheila, dressed in hospital scrubs, was cradling Henry, gently rocking him. "Don't cry, Henry. The ambulance will be here any minute…"

"Waaah… I don't want… Mommy anymore. Miss Sheila, can you be my mommy instead…" Henry sobbed, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Oh, what a mess.

Jessica pulled out her phone and typed a quick message: "Just got back."

Mabel helped her to the living room and eased her onto the sofa, her voice gentle but firm. "Ma'am, now that you're home, please… don't leave again, alright?"

Mabel was terrified that if this went on much longer, the whole family would fall apart.

She stood and poured Jessica a glass of hot water.

Jessica managed a few sips, and the warmth helped settle her trembling body.

This home needed her less and less with each passing day.

She'd always thought Henry only pushed her away because she couldn't speak.

She could accept that—it was her flaw.

But she never imagined Henry would actually wish for Sheila to be his mother.

She took out her phone and typed another message.