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."

but they hit

serious; he

paler. This was the first time she had no

Maids were moving about, preparing dinner. When they

of it

cup of warm jasmine tea. "Mrs. Henderson, let

eyes followed Ethan as he got into the elevator and went up. She didn't even have the

jasmine tea in both hands. She was frozen in place like

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

trip to the city clerk's office and back. He merely fulfilled his duty as a

appointment is confirmed," Tim said. "Shall we go now, Mr. Henderson? Are you really not eating with Ms.

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

felt a tightness in

sitting there for what felt like forever when Ethan and Tim finally came down, clearly on

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

her gaze and said nothing. She was

approach her either. He headed

Work 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 glance at

ten

s

shock when he entered and saw him

marriage certificate.