Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Jodie's eyes lit up as she looked up shyly at Ethan. "Uncle Ethan, I brought you a gift."

He took it without much reaction. His face remained expressionless as he said, "It's late. You should head home."

She stomped her foot, frustration bubbling up inside her. She protested, "But I want to stay. I haven't seen you in so long... Don't you miss me at all?"

Ethan's brows knitted together slightly, and he moved to shut the door. But Jodie suddenly reached out and blocked it. Her sharp eyes caught a single long strand of hair stuck to the edge of the doorway. It was obvious that it belonged to a

woman.

Her face went pale, and she shoved the door open hard. "There's a woman in your room, isn't there? You swore that you'd never marry anyone in this life!" she snapped.

As the door flew open, she stormed in and turned toward the room, but it was empty. Even so, she wasn't convinced. She yanked back the curtains and even walked out onto the balcony, checking every corner. But she found nothing.

That hair definitely belonged to a woman.

Ethan stood calmly near the bathroom door, his voice as steady as ever. "Jodie, you need to grow up."

Her eyes welled with tears again. Then, she realized she hadn't checked the bathroom.

"You brought me home, remember? You told me I only needed to focus on being happy. Uncle Ethan, did you forget everything you promised me? Everything?" She choked back a sob. "I'm checking the bathroom!"

She rushed past him before he could stop her.

Ethan extended an arm in front of her, his expression finally turning stern. "Enough."

"No! I'm checking the bathroom."

Her spoiled stubbornness was exhausting, but Ethan didn't say anything more.

Jodie darted forward and flung open the bathroom door.

Ethan had already braced for the worst, but the bathroom was empty.

Jodie exhaled in relief and stepped

out, now acting coy and sweet. "Sorry, Uncle Ethan. I guess I

overreacted. That hair must've

from the cleaning lady. She she come

be more careful. You're such a neat freak, after all."

He said curtly, "Get out."

Realizing she had pushed too far, she stuck out her tongue playfully and backed toward the door. She tossed one last reminder before she left "Okay, I'm going. Don't forget to open the gift, though!"

She seemed content again, practically skipping out of the room.

Ethan closed the door behind her, his eyes scanning the room. However, there was no sign of

Grace. He stepped onto the ball 2

but he didn't see her there. He made his way downstairs, and just as he expected, he found her under the balcony. She was curled up in the corner, looking helpless and alone.

The moment she heard Jodie shouting in the hallway, she panicked and jumped. Her legs were already injured, and the impact had clearly worsened them. She couldn't walk and could only sit there.

She was still hugging her legs when she looked up and saw Ethan walking toward

her.

This time, he wasn't even in his wheelchair. She wasn't sure if she was imagining

it, but she thought she caught a flicker of anger on his face.

Her heart sank with a sudden jolt.

Ethan quickly walked over to her but didn't offer a hand to help her up. He simply asked, "Can you stand?"noveldrama

The question sent a chill through her. She shivered slightly and forced a reply. "Yeah."