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.

down, someone knocked on the door.

meeting starts in 30

long since gone off schedule. Tonight's meeting wasn't

hesitate. "Bring my laptop inside.

put on the headset and began the

waited outside

meeting started, the overseas executives noticed something

a whisper. They had to hold their breath just to hear him, but no one dared to ask

halfway through when another

bother to be

but no one dared question it. They

were furrowed together. Then, he heard Yancey's voice booming from

allowed you to transfer departments? You didn't even discuss it with me first? You're really

beg for his approval. Instead, she had quit without a word. How the hell was he supposed

out here and

his phone and dialed Yancey's

now. You have

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

he was an

Henderson Group had

last name. He never had to work

Ethan, ordering him to stay late.

Grace transferred departments?" Yancey asked. "Yes. Anything

jaw, his hand slowly curling into a fist. "I

executives on the call had a full view of his face. His