Regret Came Too Late

Grace finally understood why Quentin always had that pained, disappointed gaze when he looked at her.

She had been part of what led to Albert's death. But if Albert had spoken to her before he passed, he likely hadn't held a grudge. He was probably just frustrated, wishing she had done better.

Even though she couldn't remember everything, a wave of guilt crashed over her. Overwhelmed, she slapped herself hard.

Her cheek turned red from the slap, and Liam flinched in shock. "Grace! What are you doing?"

She shook her head, forcing herself to steady her emotions, and continued up the path. "Come on. Take me to Grandpa."

Liam stiffened with regret, afraid that saying anything more might set her off again. Bringing her here suddenly felt like a terrible mistake. They walked for another ten minutes before Albert's tombstone came into view.

Grace stopped in her tracks. A strange heaviness settled in her chest, making it hard to move forward. Even so, Liam gave her space. She hesitated for a long moment before finally stepping forward.

black-and-white photo on the headstone bore a kind expression. The second her gaze fell on it, tears blurred her vision and spilled

It took her a long time to focus

herself to kneel, but the moment her knees met the ground, a deep ache clenched her chest,

and helped her up. "Grace, that's enough. Let's go back. You need

here might actually help Grace remember. If Alice hadn't mentioned it, he never would

couldn't bring himself to tell Grace that coming here had

fixed her gaze on Albert's face in the photo, etching it into her memory. Only then did she

blind before?" Had she done so

him,

spent an hour at the cemetery before heading back, but Liam had barely driven a mile when