In Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller," the protagonist reflects on the concept of regret and the futile nature of contemplating the past. She considers the various choices she could have made that might have altered her current reality. This introspection reveals a deep yearning for understanding and a desire to change outcomes that are now irreversible.

Ultimately, she acknowledges that while it's natural to think about past decisions, such reflections do not actually influence the present or the future. This realization underscores the theme of acceptance and the importance of moving forward rather than being burdened by what could have been.