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.

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

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

a bowl, seemingly unaware 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, causing Selene

and turned to come out. He was just about to go out to

three freshly prepared dishes and the chicken soup steaming on the counter. His

drowsiness vanished from Selene's

she said wearily. "Whatever this is, save it for another

Damien acted as if

to the dishwasher and pulled out a pair of utensils, smiling as he said, "Sure, Another day, then. But since I'm already here, I might as well try Professor Calloway's cooking

spiked through Selene's veins, but Vincent's hand settled firmly on her shoulder before she could react. His voice was warm

them made Damien seem like an intruder

obstruction rose in his chest, and he seethed with the need to

standard, Selene and Vincent were officially a couple. Whatever he thought he was doing here barging

nature, Vincent ladled out three sets of

meetings for two days and had only eaten bread and drunk a few sips of water

of her

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

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

his behavior repeatedly before finally saying, "Damien Jensen,

cold gaze pierced straight through him, sharp