Regret Came Too Late

The pill slid down her throat, but Grace barely had the strength to react. She slumped against the couch, drenched in sweat. She was exhausted.

She wanted to tell Ethan that she wouldn't be able to cook for him tonight or go out to eat. But no words came out. Faint, fragmented memories flickered through her mind. Her period had always been this painfully unbearable.

The only difference was that back then, she endured it alone. She would curl up on the couch and quietly wait for the pain to pass.

At this moment, she could feel just how much she was sweating.

Then, something cool pressed against her forehead. It was a damp tissue. Her body, weak and exhausted, instinctively leaned into the cold touch.

She reached up, her fingers brushing against his hand as it wiped her face. Slowly, she nestled into his palm.

Ethan held the wet tissue in his hand but didn't pull away.

Her face was pale. Whenever she felt weak, she tended to cling to someone. But once she recovered, she always distanced herself again.

He slowly uncurled his fingers, his palm cupping the side of her face.

She stayed like that for five minutes, rubbing against his touch before finally retreating.

Ethan stood to turn on the air conditioning, but her hand caught his wrist. Her consciousness was slipping, and even her fingertips were damp from sweat.

He glanced down and reassured her, "I'm not leaving."

He gave her a comforting pat before Grace loosened her grip. Then, she drifted off to sleep.

Ethan closed the window, leaving only the curtains open to allow the faintest breeze in. The temperature in the room slowly dropped. He walked over to a cabinet, pulled out a blanket, and draped it over her.

back down, someone knocked on the door.

meeting starts

to have dinner here, but things had long since

my laptop

up the laptop nearby. Ethan put on the headset and began

outside just in

the overseas

whisper. They had to hold their breath

through when another knock echoed

it was Yancey. He didn't bother to be polite as he pounded

the meeting heard it, but no one dared question it. They all

together. Then, he heard Yancey's

who the hell allowed you to transfer departments? You didn't even

if he promoted Grace to the manager, she would beg for his approval. Instead, she had quit without a word. How the hell was he supposed to keep her under his

out here

reached for his

office now. You have work to

froze for a moment, thinking he must have misheard. Ethan had never

was an

Group had nothing

his last name. He never had to work

was Ethan, ordering him to stay late. He couldn't help but feel

you know that Grace transferred departments?" Yancey asked.

a fist. "I don't want her to transfer. Can

executives on