Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan)

The moment those words left Damien's mouth, the atmosphere in the room grew unbearably strained.

This wasn't the first time he had said something like this-and he meant every

word.

Selene drew a deep breath and set down her utensils. "Get out. Don't come looking for me again. The Jensen family's been calling me lately, and I won't let this escalate."

Every time they met, she asked him not to make a scene. Yet Damien had never once listened.

Rising abruptly, he grabbed the tablecloth and yanked it hard, sending the carefully prepared dishes crashing to the floor. It turned the room into chaos, with spilled food and shattered porcelain.

His gaze cut to Vincent, and suddenly, he smirked. "Selene and I grew up together. Whatever reason you two are together, it doesn't matter. You're not marrying her as long as I'm breathing. Professor Calloway, you're still young. Go find someone else."

Ever composed behind his glasses, Vincent simply tightened his grip on Selene's hand.

His stance was clear-he would never look for someone else; he had already chosen her.

Damien observed them standing hand-in-hand. His lips pursed, and his breathing grew ragged. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, "I honestly can't see what he has that makes him better than me."

"Damien, you're too immature. I don't like childish men. Vincent would never barge into someone's home and overturn their dinner," Selene retorted.

Selene's voice remained firm, her gaze calm and unflinching. "If you continue this nonsense, I'll shift my work entirely overseas. In fact, that's something I've been planning to do."

Since she had the capability to leave the Jensen family behind, there was no need for her to live in their shadow any longer.

A tremor passed through Damien's gaze as he froze in place. He took a moment

to compose himself before quietly gathering up the pieces of shattered plates

from the floor and then pulling out his phone to order delivery.

He found the broom and mop tucked away in the corner, intending to tidy up the chaos on the floor. However, being born as an heir of the Jensen family, such tasks were foreign to him. The more he tried to clean, the dirtier the floor became.

Selene stood motionless, a dull ache spreading across her chest.

It wasn't that she felt nothing for Damien. But the towering weight of the Jensen family stood between them, and the debt of gratitude for her upbringing weighed heavily on her. She couldn't possibly be like him and disregard everything. noveldrama

Vincent stepped forward, reaching for the mop in Damien's hands. "Let me."

Damien's voice was hoarse, stripped of its usual commanding presence as he snarled, "Fuck off!"

He cleaned the floor silently, swept the broken shards into the trash, and then carried the trash bag to the door.

Just as his hand touched the

doorknob, he turned back and said,

"Grandma's condition has worsened. She keeps asking for you, and Grandpa, too. If you have the time, govisit them."

However, Selene remained silent. Only after he had left did she make her way slowly to the side and pull out a cigarette with trembling fingers.

Vincent surveyed the spotless floor, then smiled faintly. "Why don't we just get married? Maybe then he will finally give up. Or is it that you're still holding on?"

Selene's gaze fell as she drew a deep breath. The Jensen family's afraid I'll tead Damien astray and affect their reputation and status in their ciele. It's not like don't know. But they aren't entirely heartless toward me.

"My parents are very kind. When others suggested sending me abroad, they just bought me a house outside so that my meetings with him would be less."

She had spoiled Damien for over 20 years. As a child, she would blame herself even when he tripped and fell.

How could she possibly not care about him?

However, the way she cared-and the way Damien wanted her to-were worlds apart.

Vincent stepped to her side, took the cigarette from her fingers, and placed it between his own lips.

Their relationship was complicated, but one thing was clear-they truly appreciated each other.