Lost Me Gained Regret

His voice was hoarse. “Home.”

The driver, compliant as ever, steered towards the Ferguson Mansion.

Then, from the backseat, some words cut through, “To LunarLakeBay Villas.”

The driver hesitated for a moment. Glancing at Bryant through the rearview mirror, he made a U-turn at the next intersection.

The rain was still falling, tapping against the car’s exterior, but Bryant felt as if it was pounding on him instead. Bit by bit, it seemed to extinguish the pride and dignity that was ingrained in his bones, inch by inch.

The car stopped within the courtyard of LunarLake Bay Villas, and before the driver could offer an umbrella, Bryant stepped out into the downpour with determined strides.

Stepping back into the villa, into the marriage home he shared with Jane, felt surreal. It was as if it was only yesterday when he’d come home from a night out, and Jane would be there to greet him, helping him to the couch. Carefully preparing him a hangover remedy.

“Sir, you’re not returning to Ferguson Mansion tonight?” Emma emerged from the bedroom as she heard the noise, flicking on the light with a snap, illuminating the room.

Bryant squinted against the bright light. “Hmm.”

“Oh my goodness, you’re soaking wet! Hurry upstairs and take a hot shower, catching a cold in the summer is the worst!”

and a sort of caretaker for Bryant, urging him to go up

his way upstairs alone, settling into the sofa by the window and lighting a

face it. And he, filled with guilt and reluctance, couldn’t

I learned this recipe from Mrs. Ferguson; she adjusted it several times until it was just right for you. Remember to drink it before you go to sleep,

voice barely a

such a dispirited state, Emma couldn’t help

around Bryant… there was no one left

was I…

her head. “How could that be? You were always very

public, he gave her dignity.

provided

was

of regret on their

up,

“Love.”

had seen their marriage up close and sighed, “Bryant, another girl might have been happy with the kind of marriage you offered, but not