Regret Came Too Late

Grace had always vaguely felt that Ed wasn't easy to coax, but she hadn't expected him to be this difficult-he even had his own set of principles.

Suddenly, she couldn't find the words to explain. Instead, she stood up and straddled his lap.

Mature relationships didn't always require lengthy debates. Sometimes, a hug was all it took, so words weren't always necessary.

For someone already emotionally fragile, words could easily be twisted and misunderstood.

Taking the initiative, she leaned close and whispered in Ed's ear, "You can have me however you want tonight, okay? Please don't be angry."

He went completely still for a beat, and then he was all over her, kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

The problem was solved, but Grace's lower back was screaming.

She didn't wake up until noon the next day, and her legs nearly gave out when she tried to get up. Biting back a groan, she hauled herself up using the bed and massaged her temples. She had given him permission to do as he pleased, and he really did, keeping her up until 6:00 am.

Below the waist, everything felt strangely numb, like all sensation had been completely worn away.

When she went to the bathroom to get ready, she was almost shocked by the evidence of such intense indulgence in her own reflection. Her face held a soft, dreamy quality, her cheeks were pink, and her grip on the toothbrush was slightly shaky.

Sighing, she splashed herself with cold water. The flush on her skin lessened noticeably.

Stepping into the living room, she noticed that her place had been tidied up, though it was clear the person wasn't exactly a natural at it. There were a few takeout containers on the table, and she recognized that the food was from a fancy place where one had to order ahead. That was really thoughtful of him.

And she'd been cleaned up nicely too after last night. It seemed his anger had dissipated.

Pulling out her phone, she saw her impulsive "breakup" message and cringed. She was definitely not saying that again so casually. The consequences were way too much.

"Did you clean up

he was clearly still hung up

rolled her eyes, wondering if he was pushing his luck. If they were still breaking up,

Grace: "Not anymore."

what about down

"not yet anyway"

as she replied. "Seriously,

hung in the digital air before his reply came through. "Yeah, well, I'm

her workday looming, she didn't have the time for a detailed conversation. She opted for a quick dismissal. "Alright, alright. My bad. Just chill. I'm heading

downstairs and drove straight to Henderson

workspace was once again wet. Without even needing to

her, who peeked around to make sure Jodie

to make a point of stopping by your desk to splash water each time she comes to Henderson Group. Grace, I really think you

her desk, inwardly laughing cynically. Surely, the untouchable Ethan was aware of Jodie's antics, wasn't he? The thought just

her workstation when Tim dropped a file on her desk. "Mr.

Siltham?

Ethan to suddenly decide on a trip to such a place? She thought of Liam, and a wave of unease washed over her.

"Mr. Bennett, I might not be able

gave her a once-over before stating bluntly, "Then you need to

Seeing him would just remind her of that pain in the neck, Jodie. But she had no choice but to go to

knocked on the office door, and a curt "Come in" echoed from within. She entered to see Ethan engrossed in documents spread across his desk. Stepping closer, she was about

her a beat to

she wouldn't have

had developed a habit of leaving little marks on him-sometimes accidentally,