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.

was a hint of unease. "I didn't see

"Scared of what?"

someone's been inside my

here? In the middle of nowhere? No one had any reason to be

would even want to

he pulled her into a hug, his voice tired. "I don't know what it is, but whenever

still, a chill climbing up her spine. Something about this didn't sit right. She asked, "Have you ever

not that bad anymore. I'm

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

I swear

the warmth of his skin, the ring on his finger,

come stay with me for a while?" she

He just traced her fingertip with his, slow

you really care about me... then stay away from other men. Especially the one sitting in

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

"You're tracking me?"

hadn't planned to bring Lyle along, and the whole thing was last-minute. How could

in the background when I called,"

notice something like that. He spent

Lyle's voice shouting from outside.