Regret Came Too Late

The moment the words left Yancey's mouth, the office door opened, revealing Ethan. He sat in his wheelchair as he looked over at them.

Grace stood next to her desk, with Yancey leaning against her, his posture almost childlike in its dependence. Ethan's fingers gripped the wheels of his chair, tightening ever so slightly.

Grace suddenly remembered the events from earlier was it Ethan's idea to have Yancey beaten?

That morning, Yancey had spoken recklessly in the office. Though he hadn't gone as far as Levi, who had foolishly tried to kill Ethan, he had certainly challenged his authority. Had Ethan given him a little lesson?

If Yancey kept this up, would he end up like Levi?

The wheels of Ethan's chair softly creaked as he moved closer to Grace.

She swallowed nervously, straightening up. "Mr. Ethan, I didn't realize you were still working late."

His gaze fell on the hand she had resting on Yancey's arm. For a moment, Grace felt an odd heat radiating from her hand, almost as if it were burning.

Yancey was in too much pain to speak his usual taunts, so he groaned weakly. "Grace, it hurts so much... Take me to the hospital."

She had initially thought he was joking, but the tremors running through his body told her otherwise. He was barely holding himself together, as though the pain might knock him out at any second.

It was clear now that he hadn't just been exaggerating. He had truly snuck out of the hospital.

You run off like this, and your mom

strength to argue and simply muttered,

unsure of how to respond. If Yancey had been throwing a tantrum

passing out, it felt wrong

him up, nodded toward Ethan, and said

expected him to say nothing more, but instead, he said two

"You both?"

of guilt washing over her. But then, remembering how Ethan treated Jodie, she straightened her back and helped

remained seated, looking somewhat isolated, but Grace couldn't bring herself

phone rang just as she started the engine.

have time to answer, so

was pale and slick with sweat as he rested against the passenger seat. He winced in pain, occasionally asking

she learned the doctors had been searching for him. He had snuck out earlier, just as they were about to treat

the doctors had taken over, she let out a sigh

still

opened it and saw that Ed had

happened, she quickly pressed the