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.

Selene assumed it was a delivery. She forced herself up and shuffled to the door, only to freeze when

clear she wasn't going to

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

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

soup steaming on the counter. His lips curled

drowsiness vanished

"Whatever this

acted

said, "Sure, Another day, then. But since I'm already here, I might as

she could react.

the two of them made Damien seem like an intruder who had

in his chest, and he

were officially a couple. Whatever he thought he was doing here barging in like he was. catching them in the act-he had no rightful claim to

Vincent ladled out three sets of dishes, politely

had been in meetings for two days and had

of her exhaustion

piece of braised rib with practiced ease and set it gently on her plate.

"Out there, you treat me like a

darkened. She had endured his behavior repeatedly before finally saying, "Damien Jensen, when are you going to

sharp as