Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Surgery always comes with risks, and the thought alone left Sallie shaken.

She stared at the consent form in her hands, too unsettled to speak.

Herbert tried to reassure her. "Every surgery has its risks, Sallie. But waiting comes with its own dangers too. If you can't decide on your own, talk it over with your family. All of us here, every doctor, will do everything we can for Timothy."

He spoke calmly, as a doctor-objective, professional, keeping his personal feelings out of it, even with the holiday approaching. He never let private matters interfere with his work.

"Thank you, Dr. Wheeler."

Sallie could be hot-tempered, but she wasn't unreasonable. She knew Herbert was giving his all for Timothy's sake this time.

"Once you've discussed it and made a decision, let me know. We'll schedule the surgery as soon as possible."

With that, Herbert headed back to his office.

Sallie stood there, and her brother spoke up. "Sis, I still think we should go ahead with the surgery. I know there are risks, but if it succeeds, we won't have to worry about him ending up in a vegetative state."

"But Timothy's all we have."

No one could make a choice like this easily-not when it was about someone's fate.

Yates and Kane stood by, silent. In moments like this, only the Lawsons could decide.

Thurston suggested, “Maybe we should ask Grandpa and Dad what they think?"

"You go talk to them. I'll find Jessica."

Jessica was the other person whose opinion mattered.

Sallie dialed Vince's number.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Downstairs. What's up?"

"It's about Timothy's surgery. I want Jessica's thoughts."

"Hang on, we'll be right up. She's on a call."

Upstairs, Herbert was speaking to Jessica about Timothy's condition. Vince walked over and heard her asking, “Is this really the only option? Is there any way to make the surgery less risky?"

Herbert answered, "Honestly,

Jessica, even the simplest surgery

comes with a lot of unknowns. No doctor can give you a hundred percent guarantee. If something goes wrong, neither the hospital nor

the doctors could bear thaital nor

responsibility. Skill matters, of course, but there are always factors outside our control. That said, the specialists handling Timothy's case are experts in neurology-they'll be as prepared as humanly possible."

“I understand,” Jessica replied quietly.

She knew, better than most, that in life both internal and external forces shaped outcomes. Sometimes it was just the smallest turn of fate that changed everything.noveldrama

Herbert went on, "I've already told Sallie-once the family agrees and signs the consent, we'll set up the surgery right away. It's normal to be anxious about something this serious, but Timothy is young. He has a strong chance of pulling through."

He did his best to offer comfort before ending the call.

Vince turned to Jessica. "Sallie wants to talk to you about the surgery."

Jessica had come this far with

Timothy, and now, faced with this choice, she wasn't sure she wanted to be the one to decide. Still, she

needed to know what was

happening. She couldn't just watch Timothy slip away.

A little later, Sallie hurried over as soon as Jessica arrived. "Did Herbert tell you

about Timothy's situation?"

"He did," Jessica replied.

"Do you think we should go ahead with the surgery?"