Regret Came Too Late

Grace's mind snapped back to the drink she had. Still, pulling off something like that at an event this size required precision.

She swept her gaze across the room and quickly spotted someone familiar- Yancey.

He headed toward her the second their eyes met.

"What's wrong, Grace? Are you okay?"

She tried to answer, but the heat slammed into her again-sharp, unbearable, like ants crawling all over her skin.

It wasn't just a surface itch—it felt like it was rising from her bones, deep and maddening. Scratching barely helped.

She averted her gaze and gave a slight shake of her head.

Too many familiar eyes were here tonight. If they saw her clinging to Yancey, they would only revive the old whispers that she was still hopelessly in love with him.

She instinctively turned to leave, hoping to find somewhere to hide.

But Yancey caught her wrist.

"Grace, seriously, what's going on? If you're not okay, I'll take you home."

Her vision was already swimming. There was no point trying to explain.

Right now, all she wanted was for someone to hold her. The drug was wreaking havoc on her.

Yancey moved closer, but Grace shoved him hard.

near me,"

clearly caught off

and the rumors that never seemed to die, the moment they got

was watching, the mood thick with

at the brink of collapse.

it on the floor

outfit and blurted, "I'll take you

He leaned in again.

out of control now, and she couldn't take

twice, and the entire room was swallowed

rang out, followed by the sound of glass breaking. It had to be the

turned toward the noise,

bet

Whispers started.

figure

vels

happened.

SV

darkness, Grace felt someone near her. It was a presence that stirred something

thinking, she

then slipped an arm around her waist

happened in under 30

lights came back on, Grace

his expression darkening. Whoever took her had moved fast