Regret Came Too Late

Ethan's tone was flat, almost too calm.

But Grace could tell that if she answered wrongly, things would end badly. This choice might determine the course of her life.

She had no idea who her biological father was, and she had no roots in Druville. If she left the country now, would that be enough to free Ethan from the mess he was in?

After all, all Jordan wanted was a clear message from Ethan.

She tightened her grip on her collar and thought carefully for several long minutes. She tried to read something from his back view, but he gave nothing away.

A long moment later, she whispered, "Okay, I'll do it. I won't ever come back."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the mood in the room shifted instantly as if the temperature dropped.

Grace's face turned pale. She didn't understand how her answer had offended him again. Wasn't that what he wanted?

"Did your boyfriend even cross your mind when you answered that question?"

Grace fell silent. She liked Ed, but her current situation mattered more. Love couldn't pay the bills, and honestly, who could guarantee forever?

She had promised Ed a lot, but one day, he might forget them all. Even men who had lost their wives and claimed they couldn't go on remarried eventually.

She truly liked Ed. Going abroad would be painful, but it was the only option that made sense now.

supposed

of guessing what he was feeling.

turned around,

the first time, Grace saw a flicker

pressing down on her like a weight. She couldn't breathe. Without her realizing it, she took a step

the closet, pulled out a clean set of clothes, and stepped into

unsure what he was trying to say

man she thought of as cold and untouchable had, in

moved

the bathroom door finally opened.

icy arolled out

winter, he had taken a cold shower.

in a bathrobe, water dripping from

hair was still wet. As he made his way toward the window with lowered lashes, drops

first, but now, it

overwhelming sense of

Suddenly, she

her

curtains were yanked shut

Ston. The bedroom

sound of the curtains being drawn rang in her ears like an alarm: fo