Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

Selene never cared about Vincent's past, nor did he concern himself with hers. They simply respected each other; that was all.

If marriage could be compared to running a company, they would indeed have made excellent partners-steady, dependable, and composed-though lacking the burning passion that often ignited such unions.

But passion was fleeting. Ultimately, every marriage would settle into companionship, much like how they were with each other now.

Vincent took a drag from the cigarette, his brows faintly knitting together. It was too bitter for his taste.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Damien still felt his heart pounding as he stepped into his

car.

His phone rang all of a sudden.

It was his father-Christopher Jensen.noveldrama

The voice on the other line was hesitant. "I heard you've been giving Selene some trouble lately."

The Jensen family had no idea they had once slept with each other. Still, they had sensed something unusual-Damien's unusual attentiveness toward her and her sudden decision to sever ties and move out. It had left the family feeling quietly relieved.

Damien started the car, forcing down the bitter taste in his mouth. "Who told you that? I haven't done anything."

"A business associate mentioned it today," Christopher said. "Apparently, you have been sabotaging a few of her recent partnerships."

These meddlesome fools and their endless gossip!

Damien rubbed his eyes wearily, and even in the rearview mirror, he could still see the redness around his eyes.

"Dad, don't listen to them," he said. "You know better than anyone how she avoids me now. It's just because of all those nonsense rumors that we've come to this."

Christopher sighed on the other end.

The weight of public opinion was formidable. Should those rumors be allowed to develop unchecked, the entirety of the Jensen family would be branded with the damaging accusation of having raised a child bride.

When Selene had first moved out, he and his wife, Sophia, never said a word.

Their treatment of their adopted daughter had always been nothing but kind. Nevertheless, when boundaries were tested, they had to choose Damien their biological son.

"You've been too attached to her, ever since you were kids," Christopher said.

The words landed like a blow to Damien's chest. It took him several seconds to lower his gaze and respond hoarsely, "Christmas is next month. Won't you at least let her come home for dinner?"

They would naturally run into each other as long as she came home.

Did she really think she could just flee abroad and avoid him? Not a chance.

Christopher glanced at the calendar.

"I'll call her. But you need to control yourself. Stop forcing her into difficult situations. If you weren't obvious about it, there wouldn't have been so many rumors in the first place-and she wouldn't have been forced to move out."

Silence stretched between them.

Damien had only himself to blame. He had failed to restrain himself and thought that once they crossed the line, she was his to keep forever. He foolishly believed that their future status would change. Thus, be stopped concealing his emotions and ended up pushing her further and further away.

"I understand," he said at last. "But I still worry about her living out there alone. Please, have Mom call her more often. Also... Mom's birthday is this month. Remind her to come. home for the celebration She used to prepare gifts for her."

Christopher chuckled. "No need to remind me. Your mom has already called her.

Selene agreed to come back home for dinner."

Damien breathed a sigh of relief.

She would be home this month and would be home again next month.

She probably also wouldn't be bringing Vincent home with her.

That meant time would be on his side.