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.

Jodie's voice was still soft and hesitant. "Uncle

in his book and responded evenly,

"I shouldn't have acted like that before. I shouldn't have lost it here in Palm Bay. Please don't be mad at me, okay? I haven't seen you in so

grew more

she doesn't belong here. She's

from inside. The moment her name came up, a

Jodie found out the so-called toxic woman was currently in the same room

quietly. Then, Ethan asked

down, embarrassed. "I was just wondering when

was more of a

meant

I mean, I just think..

neck, clearly flustered. But Ethan

"Oh... Okay."

of

thoughts were still scrambled when she heard him ask, "Do you really care that much about when

almost sounded like he thought she was