Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 59

Sallie's voice was loud and sharp, startling Henry into tears. He ran to Phelps, clutching his great-grandfather's leg. "Grandpa, Aunt Sallie's being mean to me!"

Phelps had always doted on his favorite grandson, Timothy, and naturally, he adored Henry as well. He shot Sallie a disapproving look. "What are you doing, snapping at a child like that?"

Honestly, he was a little surprised. Jessica hadn't even come over to comfort her son.

With a sigh, Phelps crouched down, pulled out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the tears from Henry's face. "It's true, your great-grandpa is sick. If you don't believe me, I can call him right now and you can ask for yourself."

Henry sniffled and nodded. "Okay."

Taking Henry's hand, Phelps led him out to the living room balcony.

Sallie, meanwhile, dragged Jessica firmly into the master bedroom.

"What is wrong with you?" she demanded. "Can't you see your son is about to be won over by that woman, Sheila?"

Sallie looked at Jessica's impassive face and felt a surge of frustration. Any other woman would be fighting tooth and nail right now to keep her husband and son, to draw the line against the other woman. But Jessica didn't even seem to care enough to type a response on her phone.

Maybe not being able to speak wasn't the worst thing, Jessica thought. At least she didn't have to answer questions she didn't want to.

"Say something!" Sallie pressed, frowning deeply.

Jessica finally took out her phone and typed a line: "It doesn't matter anymore."

Sallie clenched her fists. "Are you trying to drive me crazy? If your husband and son being taken away don't matter, what does?"

What really mattered?

With only six months left to live, Jessica thought, nothing really mattered anymore.

Just then, Phelps entered the room as well.

His gaze lingered on the painting. He was still waiting for Miss Sheila to get out of the hospital, so he could give it to her.

Back in Jessica's room, Phelps sat down across from her, his tone cool and measured. "You must have noticed what's going on lately."

Jessica met his eyes. She had a feeling Phelps had known the truth from the very beginning. That's probably why he'd called her.

Phelps pressed on. "So, what are you going to do?"

Jessica pulled out her phone and typed a single line: "Divorce Timothy."

Phelps's cloudy eyes narrowed as he read it.

"Divorce? And then what? Where would you go? How would you support yourself—a mute woman, all alone? You must be out of your mind!"