Regret Came Too Late

Grace stood stunned for a few seconds. In a flurry of panic, she grabbed a vase from the cabinet and swung it at Ethan's head.

Just then, the fragrance of magnolias filled the air. The dried magnolias, painstakingly arranged, now dropped their petals in a soft cascade. And the vase -the one he had chosen so carefully-split apart on impact with his head.

However, Grace didn't realize those were the magnolias she had picked for him, and she certainly didn't know how much that vase meant to him.

She leaned against the wall, her eyes fixed on him warily.

"Are you sober now?" she asked.

Ethan didn't reply. He just felt something warm trickling down his face. He didn't reach up to check. Instead, his gaze dropped to her lips.

They were swollen and red from his kiss, and there was a smear of blood at the corner-left by him.

His stare pierced through her like a blade. This wasn't the Ethan she used to know.

If the Ethan from before was all poise and discipline, then this one before her now was streaked with shadows-part saint, part sinner.

The old Ethan had self-control. He had boundaries. Hence, she used to believe she could handle him.

However, she felt like prey now. She was warm, soft, and placed right in front of a starving beast.

She ducked her head and strode straight toward the door. Just then, he said, "I've asked Tim to get your documents. We'll register our marriage tomorrow morning."

the doorknob. She was gripping it so tightly that

Mr. Henderson. I have

he doesn't matter to

the same

breath, then refuted, "It's not that he doesn't matter to me. He does. I just don't let emotions cloud my

vase shards, he let out

she could name. She didn't see how keeping a level head made her heartless. She

have to be a

bother arguing. Without looking at Ethan, she said calmly, "If I leave, Mr. Henderson Senior won't hound you about marriage anymore. And I promise I won't

the words left her mouth, Ethan slowly

shifted uncomfortably and

instant, he grabbed her chin. "I swear, you really are

grip hurt, and her brows drew

thumb hard against her lips, rubbing away the

even more uncomfortable. She raised her hand to

of a sudden, he cupped her

patience, Grace," he said quietly but

know what would make him

for her. "Marry me and I'll

shoved him away as she staggered a few steps backward. She was genuinely