Regret Came Too Late

Grace arrived at the mall and selected a modest gift-one that wasn't particularly costly yet one that she believed Ed would appreciate nonetheless.

Just as she prepared to leave, two bodyguards suddenly stepped in her path. "Ms. Lambert, Mr. Dylan Henderson has requested a brief conversation over coffee."

Her brows furrowed as her gaze drifted toward the nearby café. Seated inside was a man she couldn't recognize.

Yet soon, the recognition hit her. The man resembled Levi Henderson-just enough for her to connect the dots. This was Dylan, Levi's younger brother who had just returned from abroad. It was rumored that he had been investigating his brother's mysterious disappearance.

As Grace parted her mouth to decline the invitation, one of the bodyguards cut in first by saying, "Mr. Henderson would prefer to avoid using force."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Grace's face. With no room to refuse, she turned and walked toward Dylan.

Dylan, in stark contrast to Levi, lacked the brooding intensity that always seemed to cling to him. Instead, he had the easy charm of a man who seemed destined to be liked. There was an undeniable warmth to him, almost sunnily so.

It seemed like his visual was another legacy of the Henderson family's genes.

After Grace took her seat, Dylan smiled. "Grace, long time no see. I heard from Yancey that you've lost your memory. Seems like you've been quite close to Uncle Ethan lately."

With an effortless grace, he slid a glass of orange juice toward her. In a light tone, he said, "It's getting late, so let's skip the coffee. Orange juice would be better."

Grace left the glass untouched, wary that something might have been added to the drink. "Is there something I can help you with?"

nice to catch up with old friends. Maybe you don't remember, but we used to get along quite

it. She had just parted her lips to refute him when her phone suddenly rang. She

gash across his palm, his blood stark against his skin. The photo was almost theatrical in its threat. He seemed to be saying that if she didn't show

Ed's number, only for him to continue ignoring her calls. The

her feet, Grace knew she couldn't afford to waste any time. She turned to Dylan and said curtly, "I'm so

had barely taken a few steps when she heard his voice

message from Uncle Ethan?" he asked. "Of course, it was. You used to despise him. Now that you've finally begun to smile at him after losing

UM

steps faltered. The person

had once pursued Yancey for

a puppy. Had she not loved him

Dylan's

his lashes and swirled the drink in front of him with deliberate elegance. "Grace, I know why you used to detest Ethan. Let me tell you something-if you get too close to him

turned back slightly, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Why are you

it was Ethan who sent the

aware of my intentions, and, of course, he'll do anything