Regret Came Too Late

When Selene reached the apartment, she found Vincent waiting outside.

Vincent was a model of gentleness-a university professor whose scholarly demeanor clung to him like well-worn parchment.

He lifted the bag of groceries in his hand and beamed. "Are you done with your meetings?"

Selene paused mid-step, gave a slight nod, and unlocked the door.

Vincent followed her inside, naturally changing into indoor shoes at the entrance before handing her a pair, asking, "What do you want to eat?"

Selene yawned and sprawled onto the couch in the living room. "Anything simple."

Vincent took the apron hanging nearby and approached her. Bracing his hands on the back of the couch, he leaned over her reclined form and studied her face.

Selene, on the other hand, kept her eyes closed but knew exactly what he was doing.

"Professor Calloway," she muttered drowsily. "I've been terrified of teachers since childhood."

He chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair away from her cheek.

Selene didn't avoid his touch. She was simply too tired at this point.

40 minutes later, the doorbell rang.

packages online, Selene assumed it was a delivery. She forced herself up and shuffled to the door,

door handle, making it clear she wasn't going to move.

that there was a guest. In a casual tone, he said, "Selene, come grab the dishes." In the next second, Damien shoved the door open with a loud thud,

placed the dishes down and turned to come out. He was just about to go out to check when

chicken soup steaming on the counter. His lips curled into a sneer. "How

drowsiness vanished from Selene's

this is, save it

Damien acted

as he said, "Sure, Another day, then. But since I'm already here, I might as well try Professor Calloway's cooking see how it compares to the meals our housekeeper

shoulder before she could react. His voice was warm as he said, "Let's eat first.

like an intruder who had forced his way into a place

and he seethed with the need to

he was doing here

Vincent ladled out three sets of dishes, politely

had been in meetings for two days and had only eaten bread and

the architect of her exhaustion sat

front of Damien and then sat beside Selene. He picked up a piece of braised rib with practiced ease and set it gently on her plate. Damien watched the domestic scene unfold, each detail feeling like salt seeping into an open wound. With a

shameless, Selene," he said coldly. "Out there, you treat me like a joke. Back here, you've got a well-trained

saying,

sharp