Regret Came Too Late

But before the woman could finish speaking, several men who looked like bodyguards quickly approached and silenced her by covering her mouth.

The guards gave off a cold, dangerous presence. One stood outside the cart and spoke in an official tone. "Ms. Lambert, we're sorry to have bothered you. This woman is a distant relative of Mr. Henderson. Her mental state isn't well, and she somehow got out tonight."

The crazed woman immediately quieted down as if she were terrified of something.

Grace wanted to have a few more words with her, but the guard had already started driving the car away.

The vehicle stopped in front of the central villa, where the lights were still on.

She got out with the magnolia blossoms in her arms but instinctively turned around, wanting to see where the woman had been taken.

However, there was no trace of her left. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

Grace rubbed her brow, feeling a dull ache return to her head.

Suddenly, the front door opened.

She stood at the entryway and saw that the living room was empty.

She placed the flowers on the coffee table, intending to leave quietly. But just as she took one step forward, she saw Ethan standing on the second floor.

He rested one hand on the balcony railing and said calmly, "Why are you so late?"

Grace looked up at him and asked with a hint of surprise, "Mr. Henderson, is your leg better?"

"Mm."

He lowered his eyes. His throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but held back.

Ethan, she would feel uneasy, yet she just couldn't tell where

scratched her cheek

at this late hour. I couldn't find that kind of flower at any florist in Druville, so I had to go pick them

past 3:00 am, and for someone like him, who lived rigidly by routine,

didn't answer the question and just

know what else to say. Ethan's silence often left her in a bind. Leaving felt wrong, but staying back felt

up. "The flowers are delivered. I'll head out now.

took a step, he asked, "Is the

he

little. The snow in Druville seems heavier than

"Hmm."

feeling uncomfortable. What was Ethan trying to say? He'd speak a

for a few more minutes. Finally unable to bear with the silence, she began,

interrupted her again.

excuse to leave. Upon hearing that, she looked up, and

still calm, with one hand hanging at his side. He stood

light, the glow

Grace had seen this version of Ethan. It was like he was standing within

regular magnolias. I picked over ten branches. I hope you like

mind had been restless. Now,

saying that, she lowered her head and

didn't say

back. He was still standing

head throbbed violently. She turned and

the car, she pressed her fingers hard against her temples, but the pain wouldn't subside. It was so intense that it made