Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Grace arrived at the mall and selected a modest gift-one that wasn't particularly costly yet one that she believed Ed would appreciate nonetheless.

Just as she prepared to leave, two bodyguards suddenly stepped in her path. "Ms. Lambert, Mr. Dylan Henderson has requested a brief conversation over coffee."

Her brows furrowed as her gaze drifted toward the nearby café. Seated inside was a man she couldn't recognize.

Yet soon, the recognition hit her. The man resembled Levi Henderson-just enough for her to connect the dots. This was Dylan, Levi's younger brother who had just returned from abroad. It was rumored that he had been investigating his brother's mysterious disappearance.

As Grace parted her mouth to decline the invitation, one of the bodyguards cut in first by saying, "Mr. Henderson would prefer to avoid using force."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Grace's face. With no room to refuse, she turned and walked toward Dylan.

Dylan, in stark contrast to Levi, lacked the brooding intensity that always seemed to cling to him. Instead, he had the easy charm of a man who seemed destined to be liked. There was an undeniable warmth to him, almost sunnily so.noveldrama

It seemed like his visual was another legacy of the Henderson family's genes.

After Grace took her seat, Dylan smiled. "Grace, long time no see. I heard from Yancey that you've lost your memory. Seems like you've been quite close to Uncle Ethan lately."

With an effortless grace, he slid a glass of orange juice toward her. In a light tone, he said, "It's getting late, so let's skip the coffee. Orange juice would be better."

Grace left the glass untouched, wary that something might have been added to the drink. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Nothing in particular. I've just returned from overseas and thought it would be nice to catch up with old friends. Maybe you don't remember, but we used to get along quite well."

Grace, of course, didn't believe a word of it. She had just parted her lips to refute him when her phone suddenly rang. She pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. It was another message from Ed.

This time, there was a fresh gash across his palm, his blood stark against his skin. The photo was almost theatrical in its threat. He seemed to be saying that if she didn't show up soon, he would resort to self-inflicted amputation.

Her expression shifted as she once again dialed Ed's number, only for him to continue ignoring her calls. The dial tone echoed endlessly.

Leaping to her feet, Grace knew she couldn't afford to waste any time. She turned to Dylan and said curtly, "I'm so sorry, but something urgent has come up. We'll have to talk another time."

She had barely taken a few steps when she heard his voice behind her.

"Was it a message from Uncle Ethan?" he asked. "Of course, it was. You used to despise him. Now that you've finally begun to smile at him after losing your memory, he must be desperate to keep you from recalling the past-from remembering the person you loved most."

UM

Her steps faltered. The person she loved most?

Everyone in Druville knew she had once pursued Yancey for years, clinging to him

like a puppy. Had she not loved him most of all?

Behind her, Dylan's lips curved

faintly. He lowered his lashes and swirled the drink in front of him with deliberate elegance. "Grace, I know why you used to detest Ethan. Let me tell you something-if you get too close to him now, you'll regret it when your memories return."

She turned back slightly, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Why are you so certain

that it was Ethan who sent the message?"

Dylan set his glass down and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Call it instinct. He's aware of my intentions, and, of course, he'll do anything to keep you away from

me."

Grace couldn't help but recall how Ethan had insisted on taking her to Siltham. It made sense now, given Dylan's recent return.

A flush of unease stirred in her chest, followed closely by a dull ache in her temples. No matter how she tried, she couldn't recall what grievance she might have once held against Ethan.

Ever since waking up, she had only seen him as a man of refined manners and measured restraint. If not for what had happened on the island, she would never have resigned. He had, after all, been an excellent boss.

Dylan rose slowly to his feet and stepped toward her. "Grace, perhaps the rest of Druville doesn't know, but I do. The person you truly loved was never Yancey. It was-"

Before he could finish, the shrill sound of a phone ringing cut him off.

Grace glanced down at the screen, her eyes narrowing as she caught the name flashing across it. She lifted a hand to silence Dylan. "Apologies, but I really do have to go now. It's my boyfriend who sent the messages, not Ethan. There's nothing between us, and we're

hardly close. I'm sorry."

Without waiting for a reply, she answered the call and strode out of the café.

On the other end of the line, Ed's voice sounded low and guarded. "You're lying to

me again, aren't you?"