Regret Came Too Late

Ethan lay in bed while Grace, still too sore to fall asleep, noticed him reading a book. She quietly sat down at the edge of the bed.

"Mr. Henderson, I noticed you're walking a bit stiffer than usual. Do you want me to massage your legs a little?"

"Okay."

Grace had been looking for something to do anyway. Since he agreed, she scooted closer without hesitation. But the second her hands touched his legs, a voice called out from outside the door.

"Uncle Ethan, are you asleep?"

It was Jodie.

Grace froze and yanked her hands back, panicking as she jumped up to find a place to hide.

Jodie's possessiveness toward Ethan was no secret. If she saw Grace in the same room as him, she might actually lose her mind.

Grace had asked Susie about her before. Jodie was one of the few women who had unrestricted access to Palm Bay, and she was known to be on especially good terms with Ethan.

Just as Grace stood up, a hand grabbed her wrist. She instinctively jerked away, hard enough to hurt herself.

Ethan gently steadied her, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's fine."

She let out a breath and sat back down, realizing her reaction had been a little too dramatic.

was still soft and hesitant. "Uncle

his book and responded evenly,

sorry," she said quickly. "I shouldn't have acted like that before. I shouldn't have lost it here in Palm Bay.

more

she doesn't belong here. She's not worthy. Aren't you worried she'll ruin the place? Uncle Ethan, don't be mad, okay? I brought you

everything from inside. The moment her name came up,

the same room with the

quietly. Then, Ethan asked her softly,

"I was just wondering when you're gonna get

more of

she meant to

to walk it back "No, I mean, I just think.. Maybe if you got married, Jodie wouldn't cling to

at her neck, clearly flustered. But

"Oh... Okay."

of his palm made her quickly pull it

ask, "Do you really care that much about when I'm going to have a

It almost sounded like he thought she was into him. "No! I don't care. I'm just...