Regret Came Too Late

Grace didn't have the heart to shove Ethan off, not when he was sick. Thus, she let him hold onto her, silent and still.

It was the first time she saw Ethan stripped of his invincibility. He, who once seemed so distant and indomitable, now clung to her-fragile and feverish.

His skin was searing, radiating heat like a furnace.

Grace suddenly remembered Ed, sick just a few days ago, holed up in that dim little house.

He and Ethan couldn't have been more different. When Ed got sick, he withdrew from the world, tending to his pain in silence.

However, Ethan didn't seem to hide his vulnerabilities-not from her, at least.

She wasn't sure if she was imagining things, yet she stayed completely still, not daring to move.

After three hours on the road, the car finally stopped.

Grace gazed out at the barren ruins, feeling disbelief and anger rising within her.

"Are you sure this is the place, Mr. Bennett?"

"Yes."

Her voice trembled with frustration. "This place is a complete ruin! You can't even tell where the manor used to be, and it looks like there was a fire. What could we possibly find here? I thought there would be a pharmacy nearby, but after driving for three hours, we've ended up somewhere even more remote. Are you trying to let Mr. Henderson die in the car?"

They hadn't passed a single soul along the way.

the hell hadn't he told

of nerves, and feeling the heat pouring off him only made

to do-drive three

inhaled deeply and cranked open the

Bennett, call for backup, will you? Get someone out here to pick

pulled out his

with Mr. Henderson in the car. I'll find reception. If I don't come back... just drive. I'll handle

after him,

Handle himself? Out here?

Tim was already

back up,

seat, grabbed a bottle of water,

to drink a

at her, and turned

pressed the bottle

cracked from fever. Just a little

frowned and turned his head again,

other choice, she poured a little and into her palm, leaned in, abbed it onto his parched lips

her fingertips brushed his lips, Grace had the fleeting illusion that he

looked up, she realized he had been

pulled back

self. His gaze was heavy and burning, cutting through