Regret Came Too Late

Liam couldn't bring himself to meet Andrea's gaze, nor did he have the courage to look at Grace. He kept his head low, shoulders hunched in defeat.

He was in a state of great anxiety at the moment.

Grace had seen enough of his pathetic state over the years, and it further ignited a tide of anger within her.

"Liam Lambert!" she shouted.

She grasped him by the collar and forced him to lift his head. "Tell me what you want. If you choose Andrea, then I'll wish you both happiness."

His shoulders trembled as he fervently shook his head, his teeth digging into his lower lip with such force she thought he might draw blood.

Andrea wept at his side. "Liam, are you really going to leave me? If that's the case, I'd rather die!"

Without further hesitation, she got up and threw herself against the wall.

She truly meant it-the impact left a smear of blood on the wall, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.

and rushed to her

gaze to him, tears welling up and spilling over. "Liam, I promise I won't be a burden to you. I

his arms and turned pleadingly

Even his voice was laced with entreaty, and the hand he had around

and what chain of events had brought Liam to where he was now. Clearly, everything had been perfectly fine when

began to walk away, and as she reached the doorway, the gatekeeper commented, "Ms. Lambert, please forgive my intrusion, but Mr. Liam tried to call you many times before. It was you who

was her fault-all of it. She had failed to protect Liam, leaving him vulnerable to addiction's grip. Then, by shutting

fingers against her temples, even the gatekeeper watching couldn't stomach

Liam are siblings, after all. Please be more understanding. Given his nature, he's dependent on you and

a mother figure to him.

nothing as she got into the car, only leaving a quiet "Thanks for reminding

in this place

had been spent in an environment that was far too comfortable, leaving him utterlynet defenseless against others. Coupled

She had left a loophole, and Andrea had

grip on the steering wheel tightened, and an overwhelming sense of fatigue descended upon her-a profound exhaustion that permeated