Goodbye, Mr. Regret

In that moment, Timothy became painfully aware of just how much he'd failed in his role as a father.

Jessica was cradled in his arms, but she remained completely unresponsive.

She wouldn't react anymore-not to him, not to anyone.

Though Timothy and his son had hurt her in different ways, the outcome was the same: her heart left battered and bleeding.

She was done letting their father-son drama dictate her emotions.

Timothy, despite feeling for Henry, couldn't ignore Jessica's pain. Henry's public declaration that he didn't understand sign language was as good as denying Jessica herself.noveldrama

So Timothy's voice turned even colder as he addressed the room. "I've watched Henry's performance from start to finish today. As his father, I have to say he's not qualified for this award. I'm pulling him from the competition-effective immediately."

With that, Timothy straightened his posture, strode onto the stage, and fixed his icy gaze on Henry. "We're going home."

He turned, and Henry obediently trailed after him.

It was an unexpected interruption, but since the children's contest had all been organized by adults anyway, the host knew better than to argue once the family had made their decision.

The host, quick on his feet, smoothed things over and moved the event along to the next stage.

As Timothy passed Jessica, he glanced at her once more.

Earlier, when she'd used her voice synthesizer, he'd thought she'd finally agreed to wear the necklace he'd given her a thought that had lifted his spirits, if only for a moment.

But it turned out she hadn't used the ring at all. Instead, a thin chain was visible around her neck. Her blouse collar hid the pendant, but Timothy had seen the Voice Emitting Necklace Herbert had once given her; it was enough to know she'd used that device today.

And now, as Timothy scanned the crowd, he saw Herbert himself among the audience.

When their eyes met, the tension was electric.

Timothy left the hall and headed straight for his car.

Sheila sat in the backseat, holding Henry close and whispering words of comfort.

Timothy settled in the driver's seat, silent and unmoving, not even reaching for the ignition.

The contest was nearly over-just the awards left. Jessica would be out soon. He would wait.

He'd take her home. He had to show her that Henry would be raised right.

Sheila glanced at Timothy's inscrutable face in the rearview mirror, anxiety flickering in her eyes. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Timothy, aren't we leaving?"

"Waiting for Jessy."

Sheila fell silent, gently wiping away Henry's tears. "It's all right, Henry," she murmured, her voice full of warmth. "I watched your project-yours was the most creative, the best of all. There will be more contests like this, and next time, we'll enter again. You're amazing, sweetheart. It's just a matter of time before you win." But for Henry, this wasn't about winning or losing anymore. It was about his father scolding him in public because of his mom, leaving him feeling utterly humiliated.

If Mom hadn't come today, none of this would have happened.

She used to always be on his side, always thinking of him first. How had she changed so much?

The more Henry thought about it, the more his heart ached. His tears flowed harder.

Soon, the contest wrapped up, and families began filing out with their children.

Jessica was still inside, chatting with Lorenzo and a few judges about paper- cutting techniques.

Vince, noticing Timothy's car still parked outside, lingered by the entrance, clearly curious to see what would happen next.

After about fifteen minutes, Jessica finally emerged from the hall-Herbert by her side.

Timothy stepped out of the car at once.