Lost Me Gained Regret

Gregory's guilt was palpable, a heavy weight on his shoulders.

"It's my fault, I admit it."

"Now you decide to admit it?"

Gregory hobbled back to his hospital room, his forehead beading with cold sweat with every step he took. The sweat seeped through his bandages, turning his lips a ghostly shade of white from the pain. Dailey trailed behind him, "I'll find her, Gregory. And I'll bring her back safe and sound. You need to stay put though; with that wound, any infection could be serious, you might even die."

But Gregory was hardly listening. He paced the room once before asking, "Where's my phone?"

Knowing how stubborn Gregory was, Dailey handed it over without further persuasion.

Gregory immediately dialed Lucius.

Lucius, already feeling culpable for a mishap at the chemical plant, was desperate for a chance to redeem himself.

And now, this.

Mistake upon mistake.

"Gregory," Lucius answered.

"Any leads?" Gregory's voice was urgent.

"I've checked everything - the hospital's CCTV footage has been wiped. I've checked the highways, the airports, the bus stations. Now I'm heading to the docks," Lucius reported.

Gregory let out a bitter laugh. The plan was meticulously executed; even the hospital's surveillance had been tampered with. After the previous incident involving his grandmother, the hospital staff had been replaced, yet the perpetrator found a loophole. This wasn't something Mark could've managed alone.

"Check the ports along the border, especially. Focus on Josiah and Norman," Gregory instructed.

Lucius and Dailey had dealt with Josiah and Samuel during their last overseas mission. They were out of the picture now.

confusion, Lucius agreed. After all, he was in charge of security at the hotel that had

me, I'll

was Mark who took her," Gregory revealed, a hint of exhaustion

"What did you

repeating himself and

Gregory's forehead broke out in a fine sweat from the pain of his

can't stop you, but Jane's going to be heartbroken seeing you like this. Take care of yourself for her sake. Whatever needs doing, just tell me, and I'll handle it." Gregory remained silent, absorbed

of his calls, Gregory asked Christine, "How long have I been out? When did

Christine answered truthfully.

in Gregory's deep eyes. His voice was hoarse as

by Mark under such

silence, his worst fears seemingly confirmed. He then

just saw him take Jane. There

broke, "Uncle, you're so strong. Please save

more for Jane's safety than

"Dad!"

into a tense silence until Ike

You need to make a decision. Whether to cremate them or keep them

...

day was shrouded in gloom, the relentless rain outside seeming

city was plunged

from the

the room, I couldn't tell the time. The sea was just a dark expanse

wasn't until Mark brought me dinner that I

going to

trust Mark. I wouldn't even drink water

thoughts, Mark said, "It doesn't