Lost Me Gained Regret

I don't always want to be the worrywart. So I said, "Okay, I got it."

Bella spoke gently on the phone, "Alright, get some rest soon. A pregnant woman shouldn't be up too late."

"You too," I responded.

As I hung up and set down my phone, there was the sound of the door opening. I quickly made my way to the entrance, where Christine and Ramona exchanged glances. Ramona said, "Come with me, let's check on my garden flowers."

Christine was cooperative, "Sure thing."

Of course, the person returning was Gregory Ford.

I opened my arms to hug him, but he stopped me, holding my shoulders, "I'm dirty, I need a shower first."

That didn't sound right.

Even now, with a child on the way and my heightened caution about bacteria, his level of dirt seemed excessive for just running errands and not rolling in dirt at a construction site.

Just as I was about to inquire further, a small black vial caught my eye.

"Antidote?!" My eyes brightened.

"Mm-hmm," he replied, raising his eyebrows coyly, almost boastfully, "Am I impressive or what?"

He was trying to appear nonchalant, but my heart tightened in an instant. I didn't reach for the antidote immediately but instead began examining him for injuries, lifting his clothes.

It was when I discovered the blood on his arm that he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

fire if you can't put it out,"

immediately moistened. "You're not taking this seriously, are

hair, trying to comfort me. He quickly

was not right. I firmly grasped his hand to check it; several trails of dried blood were visible, ghastly though they

you the one who promised

of a learned man outmatched in a skirmish, ineffectively rationalizing, finally resignedly admitting

headed

followed, "Didn't we just agree we'd communicate everything on time? What's this now,

giving him a stern look, "Sit

Gregory obediently sat down.

spreading

his

the brighter living room lights, saw

numerous wooden splinters

embedded deeply.

tempted to kick him; however, the sight of his hand

if it eases your spirit,

sparing thought? It's just that my

it your foot hurting, or

acted as if I hadn't heard him, first washing off the dried

multiple checks and applying disinfectant, I reached for a bandage when Gregory

bandage, silently looking

capitulated, "Alright,

his hand