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."

words were delivered lightly, but they hit her

wasn't just serious; he

even paler. This was the first time

into the living area. The villa was bustling again. Maids

absurdity of it all

watching as a maid approached her and poured her a cup of warm jasmine tea. "Mrs. Henderson, let us know if there's anything you'd like to eat. Oh, and the fruits in the fridge were all flown

nothing. Her eyes followed Ethan as he got into the elevator and went up. She didn't

tea in both hands. She was frozen in place like

the marriage certificate. He stared at it for ten long minutes. When a knock sounded at the door, he finally tucked it

entire trip to the city clerk's office and

appointment is confirmed," Tim said. "Shall we go now, Mr. Henderson?

the hidden compartment. Then, he replied softly, "No. She loses her appetite when I'm

felt a tightness in his chest at

for what felt like forever when Ethan and Tim finally came down, clearly on their way

tried asking the maids to borrow a phone, but no one would comply. They all avoided her like

her gaze and said nothing. She was

either. He headed straight to

was picking up after the holidays, and they had to start laying the groundwork for the year ahead, esp so, Ethan would pull out the marriage certificate and

ten

s

left in shock when he

marriage certificate.