Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan) novel Chapter 395

As the car stopped in front of Palm Bay, Grace stepped out first, reaching to steady Ethan.

But his hand jerked away, quick and sharp, like she had burned him.

Grace stared at him with a deadpan look.

Just hours ago, he had practically melted into her touch in the backseat. Now, he was recoiling like she had insulted him.

She stepped back and gestured for the others to help instead.

Ethan was helped out slowly, the magnolia still in his hand.

Grace glanced at it, and her irritation slipped—just like Ed, he liked the same flower and shared the same taste.

"Take care, Mr. Henderson. I'll get going now. Don't forget your meds, and stop pushing yourself so hard."

"Mm."

Ethan was already being wheeled inside and didn't even glance back.

Grace didn't wait, and she had no interest in reading his silence.

However, there was no way she would get a cab out here.

A few minutes later, a car pulled out from Palm Bay, sent to drop her off.

She accepted it.

After all, it was still snowing, and there was no need to freeze for pride—Christmas was around the corner.

…

Inside Palm Bay, Ethan looked oddly cheerful.

"Give me a vase," he said to Tim.

Tiim knew exactly where the magnolia came from.

He brought one over, but Ethan barely gave it a glance before pulling the flower back out.

"Too plain. Get something prettier."

They tried vase after vase, but even after fifteen vases, nothing pleased him.

The light in his eyes dimmed, and his mood soured fast.

Tim quickly made some calls, asking people to send over some high-end vases.

20 minutes later, a one-of-a-kind piece by a famous master of traditional carving arrived—it had once gone for 20 million dollars at auction.

The vase was expected to appreciate further.

Ethan glanced at the elegant, antique piece. His brow eased.

He placed the magnolias inside.

"It'll do," he muttered, heading for the elevator with the flowers.

Tim dabbed his forehead, baffled.

How could a mountain-picked magnolia look only "acceptable" in a vase worth millions?

Plus, Ethan was treating this like a game of house with Grace, completely ignoring work.

Ethan carried the vase to his bedroom on the second floor, setting it by his bed so it would greet him every morning.

But the flowers wouldn't last, and that thought dragged his smile downward.

Tim followed him up and, spotting the shift, chimed in, "There's advanced tech for this—we can preserve it forever."

Ethan hummed a reply, then added, "Though I don't really care."

Tim winced and silently made the call, too drained to comment.

…

By the time Grace got home, she was so drained she could barely lift a finger.

Looking back, the whole trip had revolved around Ethan.

It hit her—she hadn't gotten anything out of it. But surely, he wouldn't lie… he couldn't have gone through all that just for a flower.

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