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."

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

was too tired to be angry, too numb to care at this point-she

the kneeling Liam. "Let go. I need to leave; there are still many urgent

don't abandon me. I know I made a mistake. I don't even know how it happened. I woke up that

finish, Grace cut him off with a chilling firmness.

Liam stopped crying, and he

not a shred of humanity in you! Liam's your brother, and this child's your kin! How can you be so cruel? Let me tell you something I will never abort this child! I

her gaze and patted Liam gently on the shoulder. "You're not even 20 yet," she

raw. "But Dad taught me that 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

like, in the end, even

eyes. Joanne was right-

as well, her eyes red-rimmed with

Isn't it enough that I'm the one to blame? I love him,