Regret Came Too Late

Ethan held the marriage certificate in his hands, inspecting it closely for a few minutes. In the photo that was also handed to him, his lips were barely lifted into a smile while Grace was frowning.

He didn't keep his attention on the photo for long. He kept glancing at the names on the certificate.

The staff member stood in front of him, nervously dabbing the sweat on his forehead with a tissue. "Is everything to your liking, Mr. Henderson?" he asked.

Ethan lowered his gaze, murmuring a soft hum.

The staff member let out a sigh of relief. His satisfaction was all that mattered. The staff member just wanted this to be over. His legs felt like they might buckle from the tension.

Ethan tucked the marriage certificate away and finally glanced at Grace.

"Let's go home."

Grace stayed where she was, frozen in disbelief. Who could've imagined she would be getting married so soon?

Ethan, now at the door, spoke again with a soft yet distant voice.

"We're heading back, Grace."

She finally snapped back to reality and quietly followed him.

The black-suited bodyguards were still lined up outside. As soon as they saw the couple come out, they stepped aside in a practiced formation.

But none of it felt real to Grace. Her legs were unbearably heavy, and each step she took was a quiet struggle. She sat in the car with her head lowered, keeping silent. As they neared Palm Bay again, she finally spoke.

"Are you planning to keep me locked in the villa forever, Mr. Henderson?"

"Just until you behave."

lightly, but they hit her

just serious; he

first time she had no idea how she

drifted into the living area. The villa was bustling again. Maids were moving

it all hit her like

warm jasmine tea. "Mrs. Henderson, let us know if there's

as he got into the elevator and went up. She didn't even have the energy to

in both hands. She was frozen in place like someone caught in

ten long minutes. When a knock

on the entire trip to the city clerk's office and back. He merely

now, Mr. Henderson? Are you really not eating

at the hidden compartment. Then, he replied softly, "No. She loses

a tightness in

there for what felt like forever when Ethan and

to borrow a phone, but no one

said nothing. She was stiff and

didn't approach her either. He headed straight

start laying the groundwork for the year ahead, esp so, Ethan would pull out the marriage certificate and glance at it. He couldn't resist

ten

s

shock when he entered and saw him holding

marriage certificate.