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.

come near me," she

back, clearly caught off

the rumors that never seemed to die, the moment they got near each other, all

the room was watching, the mood

she was already at the brink of collapse.

wine glass, ready to smash it on the floor and

outfit and

He leaned in again.

of control now,

chandelier overhead flickered twice, and

the sound of glass

turned toward

bet

started.

to figure

vels

happened.

SV

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

thinking, she leaned toward

then slipped an arm around her waist

all happened in under

the lights came back on, Grace

darkening. Whoever took her