Regret Came Too Late

Daphne's lips trembled as she spoke. Her eyes were reddened, and her voice sounded ragged and cracking.

"You're the reason my boyfriend got exiled by Julian! You ruined his whole damn life. And now I find out that the mystery number was you the whole time? This was all your setup! Grace, I hate you!"

The hatred in her eyes burned hot, but fear kept her rooted. The blade in Grace's hand glinted under the streetlamp, keeping her at bay.

Grace crouched beside her, gaze sharp. "You sure you've never been in contact with Jodie?"

Daphne's expression shifted. She had been in contact with Jodie-of course she had. But she wasn't about to admit that now.

Before Grace could press further, she spotted a figure standing near the front of the house. It was Ed.

She stood up quickly and tossed the knife back into the car. Looking at Lyle, she said, "Keep an eye on her. I'm going to talk to Ed."

Lyle had already seen the figure. The moment he recognized Ed, his whole body stiffened, his hand clenching into a fist so tightly it looked like his knuckles might split.

Grace walked toward the house, but Ed had already stepped inside.

She followed him in, quietly shutting the door behind her. "Did I scare you?"

He'd probably seen her holding that knife-maybe that was what rattled him.

voice was calm, but there was a hint of unease. "I didn't see anything. I just... I've

"Scared of what?"

someone's been

together. Out here? In the middle of nowhere? No one had any reason to be near this place, much less break in. It wasn't

would even

hug, his voice tired. "I don't know what it

spine. Something about this didn't sit right. She asked, "Have

I'm almost over it. But...

then his body slumped forward. He landed quietly against her lap,

Grace. I

held his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin, the ring on his finger, and the red thread bracelet on his wrist. For

you come stay with

He just traced her fingertip with

again. He said, "If you really care about me... then stay away from other men. Especially the one sitting

stopped for a beat. Lyle hadn't even gotten out of

"You're tracking me?"

the whole thing was last-minute. How could

someone breathing in the background when I called," he said. "Someone else was

He spent so

was about to speak again when she heard Lyle's voice shouting from outside. "Grace! Grace, get