Regret Came Too Late

Ethan fastened the last button on his shirt and glanced at Grace. "Give the Lamberts a call. They think something's happened to you."

His words broke the tense silence, and Grace let out a slow breath as relief spread through her chest. She quickly reached for her phone but hesitated, remembering she wasn't close to the Lamberts.

Liam was the only Lambert she had any ties to, but he was probably still unconscious. For a moment, she didn't know who to call.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Carmen leaned over Liam's bed, sobbing. "How did this happen? Do the police know who did this?"

Alice quickly held her. "Mom, let's wait until Liam wakes up. The car was Grace's, but they still haven't found her."

Carmen tensed, looking even more worn out. "Grace only ever brings trouble. Wasn't it enough that she drove her grandfather to his grave? She's been against you at every turn, and now she almost got Liam killed. I just—"

Before she could finish, Quentin cut in. "Enough, Carmen. Liam and Grace were close. She wouldn't have done this on purpose. She's missing, and you're already blaming her? At least wait for the police report."

Quentin's word was final. At that, Carmen pressed her lips together and said no

more.

Alice, however, could barely contain her satisfaction. She had already paid them off, and those people were likely out of the country by now. There was no way the police would trace anything back.

that miserable bitch, was finally

as her smirk began to form, the door to the ward slammed open. Yancey stormed in, scanning the room. "Where's Grace? It

impossible to miss, and it twisted something in Alice's mind, souring her

threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "The police are still looking, but the footage shows those guys chasing her. They had knives, Yancey-they must've wanted her

her away without hesitation. Before he even realized it, he slapped her

ringing in her mind, her thoughts blank for

but the thought of Grace being gone made his chest tighten with something he couldn't name. "Alice, don't be ridiculous.

pressed a hand to her cheek, and her whole body trembled. Her breaths came heavy with anger as she fixed her gaze on Liam. If

was reckless, but it wasn't her first time. Everyone believed Grace had driven Albert to his death, but that was far

Worse yet, he

had jumped into the river for Yancey, he nearly collapsed. Alice knew this was her moment. She had been waiting for the chance to get rid of

else was around, she sat beside him and whispered, "Grandpa, what should we do? Grace is losing her mind over Yancey. Last night, she didn't just try to jump off a building-she even slept with a group of thugs. Yancey said he'd keep the engagement as long as she did what

face as she went on. "Now those photos are everywhere. How is she supposed to face anyone after this? Grandpa,

became a struggle. But she had never felt more satisfied. She was meant to be the favorite in

resentment toward Grace grew stronger. She eventually made Grace the family outcast, just