Regret Came Too Late

Grace's mind snapped back to the drink she had. Still, pulling off something like that at an event this size required precision.

She swept her gaze across the room and quickly spotted someone familiar- Yancey.

He headed toward her the second their eyes met.

"What's wrong, Grace? Are you okay?"

She tried to answer, but the heat slammed into her again-sharp, unbearable, like ants crawling all over her skin.

It wasn't just a surface itch—it felt like it was rising from her bones, deep and maddening. Scratching barely helped.

She averted her gaze and gave a slight shake of her head.

Too many familiar eyes were here tonight. If they saw her clinging to Yancey, they would only revive the old whispers that she was still hopelessly in love with him.

She instinctively turned to leave, hoping to find somewhere to hide.

But Yancey caught her wrist.

"Grace, seriously, what's going on? If you're not okay, I'll take you home."

Her vision was already swimming. There was no point trying to explain.

Right now, all she wanted was for someone to hold her. The drug was wreaking havoc on her.

Yancey moved closer, but Grace shoved him hard.

near

clearly caught off guard by her

to die, the moment they got near each other,

room was watching, the mood thick

the brink of

on the floor and grab a shard—maybe the pain would clear her

calmly adjusted his outfit and blurted, "I'll take you home,

He leaned in again.

out of control now,

more.

overhead flickered twice, and the entire room was swallowed in

followed by the sound of glass breaking. It had

head turned toward the noise,

bet

Whispers started.

to figure out what

vels

happened.

SV

near her. It was a presence that stirred

thinking, she leaned toward

paused, then slipped an arm around her waist and

happened in under 30

the lights came back on, Grace was

frozen, his expression darkening. Whoever took her had moved