Regret Came Too Late

Grace tossed the card and turned sharply on her heel. She wasn't about to waste another second there.

Fear drained the color from Liam's face. He rushed forward, grasped her hand, and dropped to his knees. "Grace, please don't be angry! Hit me if you must, but please, don't be angry. I'm begging you!"

Irritation welled up within Grace, and she attempted to dislodge her hand, but Liam maintained a firm grip. He kept her hand pressed against his own cheek.

Overcome by panic, tears now began to cascade down his face, his eyes fixed upon her with a look of hopeful supplication.

"Let go, Liam." She struggled harder. "This trick doesn't work every time. I don't have the patience for this anymore."

Yet he held on to her hand with all his strength, kneeling stubbornly on the floor without any intention of rising.

Off to the side, Andrea, unable to bear the scene, began to rebuke her. "Grace, what's the meaning of this? No matter what, Liam's your own brother. Have you forgotten your father's last words to you? Now you want to abandon him? If Quentin could see this from his grave, he would never forgive you!"

Liam bit his lip and shot her a threatening glare. "Shut up."

and turned away. "I'm speaking for your sake. I wouldn't want

tired to be

need to

please don't abandon me. I know I made a

finish, Grace cut him off with a chilling firmness. "Then have her get rid

stopped crying,

contrast, exploded with rage. "Grace! You're a woman yourself, yet you would force another woman to have an abortion? There's not a shred of humanity in you! Liam's your brother, and this child's your kin! How

gaze and patted Liam gently on the shoulder. "You're not

a man honors his promises-especially to women. Andrea was my first and she was there forme when I was barely holding myself. I can't turn away from that, Grace. I

like, in the end, even his

ignited in Andrea's eyes. Joanne was right- Liam was still a naive

immediately dropped to her knees as well, her eyes red-rimmed

is, he's still your family. Isn't it enough that I'm the one to blame? I love him, and I'm withing to bear his child Could you not simply let us be I'll stay by his side,