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.

flipped another page in his book and

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

grew more

that Grace woman is toxic. I know you only brought her here for my brother's sake, but she doesn't belong here. She's not worthy. Aren't you worried she'll ruin the place? Uncle Ethan, don't be mad,

The moment her name came up, a flicker of embarrassment

in the same room with the man she

Then, Ethan asked her

just wondering when you're gonna get a

of a passing

meant to say

mean, I just think.. Maybe if you

at her neck, clearly flustered. But Ethan caught her wrist

"Oh... Okay."

immediately lowered her hand, but the warmth of his palm made her

heard him ask, "Do you really care that much about when I'm going

question made her heart skip. It almost sounded like he thought