Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Ethan lay in bed while Grace, still too sore to fall asleep, noticed him reading a book. She quietly sat down at the edge of the bed.

"Mr. Henderson, I noticed you're walking a bit stiffer than usual. Do you want me to massage your legs a little?"

"Okay."

Grace had been looking for something to do anyway. Since he agreed, she scooted closer without hesitation. But the second her hands touched his legs, a voice called out from outside the door.

"Uncle Ethan, are you asleep?"

It was Jodie.

Grace froze and yanked her hands back, panicking as she jumped up to find a place to hide.

Jodie's possessiveness toward Ethan was no secret. If she saw Grace in the same room as him, she might actually lose her mind.

Grace had asked Susie about her before. Jodie was one of the few women who had unrestricted access to Palm Bay, and she was known to be on especially good terms with Ethan.

Just as Grace stood up, a hand grabbed her wrist. She instinctively jerked away, hard enough to hurt herself.

Ethan gently steadied her, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's fine."

She let out a breath and sat back down, realizing her reaction had been a little too dramatic.

Outside, Jodie's voice was still soft and hesitant. "Uncle Ethan?"

Ethan flipped another page in his book and responded evenly, "What is it?"

"I just... I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I shouldn't have acted like that before. I shouldn't have lost it here in Palm Bay. Please don't be mad at me, okay? I haven't seen you in so long..."

Her tone grew more pitiful with each word.

"And everyone knows that Grace woman is toxic. I know you only brought her here for my brother's sake, but she doesn't belong here. She's not worthy. Aren't you worried she'll ruin the place? Uncle Ethan, don't be mad, okay? I brought you a gift."

Grace could hear everything from inside. The moment her name came up, a flicker of embarrassment crept in.

If Jodie found out the so-called toxic woman was currently in the same room with the man she clearly worshiped, she might actually light the place on fire.

Grace sighed quietly. Then, Ethan asked her softly, "What's wrong?"noveldrama

Grace looked down, embarrassed. "I was just wondering when you're gonna get a girlfriend."

It was more of a passing thought,

not something she meant to say out

loud. She quickly tried to walk it back "No, I mean, I just think.. Maybe if you got married, Jodie wouldn't cling to you so much."

Her fingers scratched nervously at her neck, clearly flustered. But Ethan caught her wrist again. "You're injured. Don't scratch."

"Oh... Okay."

She immediately lowered her hand, but the warmth of his palm made her quickly pull it back.

Her thoughts were still scrambled when she heard him ask, "Do you really care that much about when I'm going to have a girlfriend?"

The question made her heart skip. It almost sounded like he thought she was into him. "No! I don't care. I'm just... curious."

As soon as she said she didn't care, Ethan let go of her wrist and returned to reading.

Another knock came from the door, and Jodie's voice sounded even more cautious now.

"Uncle Ethan... I brought you a gift. Can you open the door, please?"

Ethan raised a hand to his temple, rubbing it slowly. Then, he got out of bed and walked to the door.

Grace noticed something odd. Right

before he opened it, he adjusted bis

robe, pulling it tight and buttoning it

all the way to the collar. It was a

stark contrast to how he had been just moments ago.

She was a little surprised. Was Ethan worried about Jodie seeing him like that?

Then... why wasn't he worried about Grace seeing him like that?

Something about it just felt off.

Ethan stood by the door, which he had only opened a crack.