Regret Came Too Late

Goosebumps prickled across Thomson's skin. He was certain now that the masked man standing in front of him was a psychopath. His lips trembled uncontrollably as he kneeled on the ground, too frightened to rise.

The masked man slumped into a black chair nearby, resting his face against one hand. With the silver mask obscuring his features, no one could possibly tell what he was thinking.

Thomson dared not speak. Silence stretched between them until the masked man finally said, "She broke up with me."

Thomson stiffened, his goosebumps prickling once more. Though this time, he wasn't sure if the "she" the man was referring to was Grace. However, as far as he knew, Grace had never had a boyfriend. Hadn't she been hopelessly following Yancey like a puppy?

Who the hell was this lunatic, then?

If Thomson wanted to survive, he needed to say what the man wanted to hear.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it. Maybe she's waiting for you to reconcile with her. She probably can't let go of you," he said carefully.

The masked man tilted his head slightly. Though his expression remained hidden, Thomson knew he was weighing his words.

"Grace probably cares for you the most," he pressed on. "Women are stubborn. The breakup is probably just her way of testing you."

Thomson scrambled to think of something pleasing to say. He was now certain that the man before him was nothing more than a delusional monster completely lost in fantasies about Grace.

The so-called monster finally asked, "She's testing me?"

Thomson let out a sigh of relief, knowing that he had played his task to perfection. He quickly nodded in agreement.

"Oh, yeah. She's probably afraid that you don't actually love her, that all the promises you made were just empty words. You can try meeting up with her again. Maybe that's all it'll take to clear up the misunderstanding."

masked man lowered his head, seemingly contemplating

malice flickered through Thomson's eyes. If this monster actually sought out Grace, would she survive the encounter? That would

because of that bitch that he now found himself groveling

ounce of energy to retort, "No, she sure does! She loves you the most! It's just that Grace isn't the type to

"Is that so?"

Or pretend you're hurt—she'll definitely be worried sick!" Thomson

man paused to consider the words before pulling out his phone.

really going to reach out

gulped nervously, feeling as though his life now rested entirely

sight of Grace in the future

...

way to find Joanne. She sent a message to Liam, instructing him to remain patient

he still felt compelled to ask, "You haven't really taken a liking

"No," she replied shortly.

Liam immediately

to meet me? Did he leave the cut on your lips? Did you two

broken up. Let's not talk about that now. Let's focus on

arrived at Joanne's place and sat down with her on the couch, she fell into a daze, staring blankly at the soda

heavy objects for the time being. Seeing the cut on Grace's lip, she asked, "Did your boyfriend

back against the couch, Grace's gaze shifted to the ceiling.

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