Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Timothy brought Henry home.

As they stepped inside, Timothy walked ahead, while Henry trailed behind, his head hanging low.

When they reached the living room, Timothy sank onto the couch, and Henry stood in front of him, fidgeting nervously.

"Kneel," Timothy said sternly.

Most of the time, Timothy was gentle with Henry, rarely losing his temper. But when it came to discipline, he was unwaveringly strict.noveldrama

Sensing his father's anger, Henry's fear got the better of him. With a soft thud, he dropped to his knees on the hard floor, looking utterly miserable.

Timothy's heart twisted at the sight of his son's distress. No matter how he tried to steel himself, it hurt to see Henry like this. After all, he wasn't blameless in the matter.

He should have stepped in the very first time Henry asked for Sheila to come with him to the arts competition. Over the past seven years of marriage, Timothy had never let Jessica meet outsiders or taken her to public events. Part of that was because, long ago, he'd promised Sheila that if he ever married, he wouldn't make his wife public-back then, he'd had no idea who that wife would be.

But it was also because Jessica was mute. If people found out he'd married a mute woman, the difference in their status, combined with her disability, would only bring her more scrutiny and pain. Most would say she was unworthy of him.

He didn't want that for her, so he'd kept their marriage private. Their life together was their own business; there was no need for the world to intrude.

Jessica, for her part, had always been quiet and obedient. Their marriage seemed normal enough—at least, so Timothy thought. He never imagined things would unravel like this.

Just then, Sallie burst into the room. Spotting Henry kneeling on the floor, she crossed the distance in three quick steps and scooped him up into her arms.

"Timothy! The floor's hard, and Henry's still growing. What if he hurts his knees? How could you make him kneel like this?"

"What are you doing here?" Timothy asked, surprised.

Henry clung to Sallie's neck, seeking comfort.

"Why shouldn't I come?" Sallie shot back. "I come when I want to. If I hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have known you were punishing your son like this.”

"Put him down!" Timothy demanded.

He knew he was at fault, but Henry had made mistakes too. This wasn't something he could let slide; the boy needed to learn a lesson.

"You want him to keep kneeling?" Sallie was indignant. "He's only six! What could he have possibly done to deserve this?"

Timothy glared at Henry, his tone uncompromising. "Come down, now."

Henry didn't dare disobey. He squirmed, wanting to get down, but Sallie held him tight, shooting Timothy a look that said she wasn't about to hand Henry over.

"As long as I'm here, you're not laying a finger on him," she declared. Timothy's frustration boiled over. "Do you even know what he did wrong?" "Why don't you tell me, then?" Sallie challenged.

"He told people outside that Sheila was his mother," Timothy said, voice taut with anger. "He's ashamed of his own mother because she can't speak At his age, he's already this deceitful, this ungrateful. If we don't correct him now, what will he become?"

Sallie let out a cold laugh. "You're really blaming Henry for this? Haven't you yourself been ashamed of Jessica for being mute? You've been married seven years and never once introduced her to anyone. So why shouldn't Henry feel the same? He calls Sheila his mom whose fault is that? Maybe if you didn't treat Sheila like royalty, he wouldn't be confused. He's just a child! What do you expect?"

Timothy was nearly speechless with anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Oh, don't I?" Sallie pressed on.

"Before Sheila showed up, you barely acknowledged Jessica. No wedding, no photos, never invited her anywhere. But she still took care of you, kept the house running. Then Sheila arrives and suddenly Jessica

wants a divorce and the whole family's in chaos. Henry was never like this before. It's all on you, Timothy. If anyone deserves to kneel and be punished, it's you!"

Sallie couldn't bear to see Henry punished, so she shifted all the blame onto Timothy.

Timothy pressed his lips together, silent.

He knew he was at fault, but was Henry completely innocent?

"This isn't about us," Timothy said stiffly. "It's about raising the boy right."

"Oh, please," Sallie shot back. "Children learn what they see. If you want to set a good example, start with yourself."

"You're impossible. Put him down," Timothy growled.

Sallie glared at him. "Henry, you're coming to stay with your aunt. I'll take you to and from school. With the way things are in this house, it's no place for a child— it's not doing you any good."

She turned to Timothy. "Let's see, if Henry lives with me for a while, maybe he'll turn out differently!"

Timothy had an injured foot and couldn't stop her. Sallie swept Henry up and carried him out without another word.

Frustrated, Timothy dropped onto the couch and tossed his crutch aside.

This family had fallen apart.

He pressed his fingers to his brow, trying to collect himself, when he suddenly remembered where was Jessica?

The house had been filled with shouting, but she hadn't made a sound.

Timothy grabbed his crutch, walked to the master bedroom, and knocked on the door. No answer. He tried the handle it wasn't locked-so he pushed the door open. The room was empty.

But on the nightstand, he noticed a single, meticulously wrapped apple.