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.

as he was about to sit back down, someone knocked on the door.

Henderson, the meeting starts

dinner here, but things had long since gone off schedule. Tonight's meeting wasn't just any meeting-it

hesitate. "Bring my laptop inside. And the

complied, setting up the laptop nearby. Ethan put on the

waited outside just in

the

was unusually low, almost a whisper. They had to hold their breath just to hear him, but no one dared

through when another knock echoed

to be polite as he pounded on

no one dared question it. They all pretended to ignore

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

you to transfer departments? You didn't even discuss

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

get out here and

reached for his

to the office now. You have work

misheard. Ethan had never personally called him before-let alone about

he was

Group had nothing to do

never had to

stay late. He couldn't help but feel

know that Grace transferred departments?" Yancey asked.

his jaw, his hand slowly curling into a fist. "I don't want her to

hand on the keyboard, his camera still on. The international executives on the