Regret Came Too Late

A sharp, dull pain shot through Grace's chest.

She stared blankly at the coffee cup on the table. It was Yancey beside her who broke the silence.

"When did Alice start seeing a therapist?"

He was clearly unsettled despite having been furious with Alice only a day ago.

Liam sat back down, his mood slowly calming. "She started after coming to the Lambert family. Mom said she was abused by her adoptive parents while growing up."

Was it too much to forgive a person with severe psychological trauma for making one mistake?

Yancey hesitated briefly before glancing at Grace and speaking. "Grace, I know this whole situation has been unfair to you. I promise I won't accuse you without reason again. I've thought a lot about Alice and me these past few days.

"You're my fiancée in name, but I've been sneaking around with her behind your back. I admit that was my fault. If you'll admit to doctoring the recording, I'll publicly announce that we're breaking off our engagement. From then on, we'll go our separate ways with no further ties between us."

No one in their circle had been officially told about their engagement being called off until now.

Even though preparations for his marriage to Alice were already underway, society had always been harsh on women. As long as the engagement wasn't formally ended, Grace would be seen as the abandoned woman-the one whose marriage had been broken before it even began.

Grace met Yancey's gaze, but he couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye. Her gaze shifted to Liam, who also avoided her eyes.

She gently tapped the coffee cup, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Fine."

posted

the audio

media, but

be bothered to check them. Instead, she handed her phone to

pressed tightly, his fingertips trembling slightly. Suddenly, memories of the

of winter, never complaining even when the hot liquid burned her skin. She would stay

all of that was

pressed his lips together, took a deep breath, and

the end of the month. My engagement to Grace was annulled long ago. I've said many hurtful things about her and

I disappointed her, and for the sake of my reputation, I

our separate ways with no further

also

read it and felt strangely satisfied. At least this

a decent apology.

to leave, but Yancey suddenly stood

"Grace."

then pulled her into an embrace before she