Regret Came Too Late

The Lamberti were in high spirits, already discussing where the wedding would be held.

Carmen held Alice's hand, her eyes red-rimmed as she said, "Alice

has really had a hard time, but new wrything is finally coming together. You two need to take care of each other Don't let anyone especially those who are aboys scheming against others happiness Alice smiled slightly. "Mom, Yancey and I will be happy."

Liam chimed in, "II Græor hal pem up earlier, you two would've been together years ago. You didn't have to waste that much

Venery's gane kept flicking to the wall, where the clock showed it was exactly seven o'clock. But there was solino sign of Grace.

He turned to the nearby maid and asked, "Has Grace arrived yet?

"No, Mr. Henderson, we haven't seen her."

Vincey snorted, crossing his arms, clearly displeased. "She's not coming again, is she? I knew this was her tactic. She always does this."

The others' faces shifted from joy to indifference, then to potnight disgust.

Carmen's chest heaved with anger as she took out her phone and dialed Grace's number. Hut no one answered.

She coughed harshly, furious. "I swear, sometimes I wish I'd never given birth to her!"

Alice quickly poured some warm water for her. "Moen, don't be upset. Maybe Grace is stuck in trattie. Let's wait another hour

Liam rolled his eyes. "Alice, stop defending her. She's done this betare. Every time she says she'll annul the engagement, she then comes up with some excuse not to show. I really thought this time she meant The mood soured for everyone except Alice, whose smile only grew wider. She was confident in Sloan's abilities-

once he lost control, he wouldn't care about the consequences.

nothing but a pawn to be

was

want to waste my tin I'm

the room soured further. Alice quickly got up to see him off. She said, "Yancey, don't be

Yanceywasn't really angry-

frustrated, wanting to leave as

Yancey oft, Alice retumed to the living room, looking hun,

"Alice, this is your compensation for tonight. Ten mm. Buy yourself

"Thank you, Mom."

her arm. "You're

need to leam to fight for things for yourself. If you

stupor, glancing at the clock and realizing it was

herself out of bed. The room

had to be one of Ethan's

in

bathroom to take

she came out there was a knock on the door. She

a foodcart.

Would you like

absolutely starving and feeling lightheaded. She ate a little, and finally,

saw several missed calls from Carmen, Yancey, and

saying, "I knew

number. It read, "You're a slut.

from Sloan. Her expression darkened when she read it. After all,

message came from the same