Regret Came Too Late

Alice clutched her stomach, cold sweat covering her cheeks as she bit down hard on her lip. Right after she spoke, she swayed like she was about to faint.

Yancey instinctively moved to catch her. "Alice..."

She collapsed into his arms while sobbing, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Yancey, losing the baby already broke me. I can't handle seeing Grace right now."

She shut her eyes, playing the perfect image of a woman falling apart.

Grace watched the whole scene unfold from the side, and even she had to admit that Alice's acting was impressive. No wonder she managed to manipulate everyone so easily all these years.

But Grace wasn't about to back down. She turned her gaze to Yancey and said, "Yancey, go ahead and have me sent to a psychiatric hospital. That's how it's always been. The moment Alice puts on that pitiful little act, all of you believe her. I'm done."

She looked down, a sharp, bitter smile playing at her mouth. She added, "But let's be clear-the loss of the baby had nothing to do with me. Not that anyone cares to investigate. You all just decided I was guilty before even asking questions. What else is there for me to say?"

Yancey parted his lips to speak, but nothing came out. Alice was in his arms, yet his gaze was locked on Grace. For a brief second, he was completely lost.

His silence made Alice uneasy because Grace's words had struck too close to home.

"Yancey, can you help me back to my ward?"

But Yancey didn't move and kept looking at Grace.

Alice's eyes burned with resentment. Her jaw tightened so hard it looked like she might snap a molar. She bit her tongue until blood welled up, then gave a soft cough. She held out her hand to show her red-streaked palm.

Upon seeing her palm, Yancey immediately snapped out of it and helped her back into the ward.

"Alice, are you okay?"

her head and clutched her chest as she said, "It's just that the whole thing with the baby has hit me too hard. I'll be fine after some time. Yancey, you know I'm

send her to him. Let him keep an eye on her. At the very least, make sure

Grace was

Yancey hesitated.

but she took a step back, deciding to play the long game. She said, "Yancey, I need some time to

her surprise, he actually stood up. "Get some

helplessly at his back as he walked away. He even closed the door behind

Grace was still

him and Grace had been nothing but cold stares and harsh words lately, but that brief moment of vulnerability from her earlier had softened

faint tug at

me sent

kind

dry laugh. She'd already be locked up

her face. "Grace, do you

Which is why I'm not resisting. Go ahead-send me

"You-"

but she cut him off, her eyes Suddenly glassy. "Do you remember the Farm

tightened. That damn project had been a thorn in his side for a long time. It was also the moment his view