Regret Came Too Late

Ed said nothing. He watched Grace shut her eyes tightly, making it obvious she wasn't trying to sneak a look at him.

His Adam's apple bobbed a couple of times.

Grace, thinking he might be upset, rushed to explain.

"He crashed into my car," she said. "You know he's loaded, right? He wrote a check on the spot. There was no way I was gonna say no. Rich people are just reckless like that. Now, hurry up. Pick something you want."

Ed stayed silent for a few more seconds before finally taking the phone. Without hesitating, he picked out a pair of luxury couple's watches that were worth one million dollars. He handed the phone back to Grace.

Grace glanced down, didn't even blink, and immediately processed the payment. Honestly, she liked this about Ed-how straightforward he was. She told him to pick something, and he just picked. He missed her, and he showed up. This was way better than someone like Ethan, who would stew in silence for hours instead of speaking his mind.

Grace turned off her phone and tossed it aside. Then, she rested on Ed's lap. When she was with him, there was no need to pretend or put on a front.

Ed's fingers lightly brushed her temples, gently massaging in slow, steady circles. "Are you planning to take care of me now?" he asked, his voice low and rough. Grace smiled lazily. "Sure. I'll work hard and make plenty of money."

"I don't eat much," Ed murmured. "You won't need a fortune to keep me around. Just don't leave me."

His fingertips traced along her cheek, tender and feather-light.

Grace didn't know why, but a strange wave of unease stirred in her chest. Still, she quickly pushed it down, reassuring him softly, "I won't. Even if I someday regain all my memories, I'll still stay with you."

then snuggled right back down into his lap and drifted off to

past two days had been non-stop work with barely any rest. And the following day, she had another brutal battle ahead. She was trying to pull in new business deals to stabilize

industry was waiting for her to fail. She wouldn't get a

a boxing ring, practicing her footwork and throwing punches. Off to the side, someone's warm

she said, flashing a

getting tired," Alex Sutton teased gently. "Come rest with me for a bit,

though she couldn't see his face clearly through the haze of her

wiped

with a soft, careful touch. She

was her

on missions in the future, can I come too? I'm really strong!

you. I won't let anyone

scooped her

what you promised. You'll protect me, no matter

to me!" She made her vow with wide, shining eyes, pouring every bit of sincerity

the dream

with scattered bodies and disjointed screams. She couldn't see anything clearly, but

lit living room with no lights on, Ed sat beside her on the couch. His fingers gently traced the line of her cheek, something tender and aching in his chest. And then he heard her