Regret Came Too Late

Yancey had always taken pride in his image. But ever since the incident with Lily, he couldn't walk out the door without feeling the weight of people's judgment.

And now, because of Grace, he was standing in the top-floor office with everyone's eyes on him. It was all because of her. She had never been so cold toward him before.

Yancey's chest tightened as if a fist had gripped his heart. The pain was so intense it drained the color from his face. But Grace's expression was unnervingly calm, making him question if he was imagining things.

He rubbed the throbbing spot on his cheek, and his voice was hoarse when he said, "Swear to me-tell me a man didn't do this!"

Grace almost found it laughable, but she wasn't about to give anyone a show. With a lazy raise of her hand, she said, "I swear. They're just mosquito bites."

Yancey's frustration subsided, but only for a moment. He had a lot on his mind, but the look in her eyes told him she was beyond fed up.

"Yancey, just because you can't control yourself doesn't mean everyone else is like you."

face burned with embarrassment. He wanted to defend himself, to explain that his first time with Alice had been a

time after that, he had been sober whenever he slept with Alice, going through the motions

Yancey turned and walked

felt like the world had finally calmed down. She couldn't

nearby asked, "What's up with the sudden cold shoulder toward

Alice

being treated. She had just pulled into the parking lot when she

a man. Even now, with her

for his fiancée. She walked past him

before she could enter, Alice's voice floated out. "Sloan didn't mean it, Liam. I'll make sure he apologizes to