Lost Me Gained Regret

Otherwise, the Ferguson Group wouldn't have ended up directly in Bryant's hands.

"How about you? How have you been?" I lifted my gaze, looking up at the sharp lines of his jaw, and asked hesitantly.

"These three years since we got married," he managed a slight smile, sighed softly, and said, "it's been good."

That answer made me want to cry even more.

It was regret, wasn't it? After all, if it hadn't been for all those issues, we could have grown old together.

On our way back, we both remained silent, an unspoken agreement between us. Some things are better left unsaid.

He couldn't truly change what was happening, and I couldn't just live with it.

Better to let go now, while we could still look at each other without disdain.

Autumn days are short and the nights-long. Through the car window, the setting sun cast a golden glow over his figure.

"I'll walk you up." When we arrived at Riverview Estate, he spoke before I could.

I didn't refuse, and we went up together. Standing at the door, I pursed my lips, "I'm You can go back now."

"Okay."

Bryant nodded slightly, yet he didn't move.

b I ignored him, about to enter my code, when the door was pulled open from the inside, revealing Christine's radiant face. "You're back I heard some noise at the door and thought it was the delivery guy."

Seeing Christine in my apartment seemed to ease Bryant a little.

As I walked in, I joked, "So you expected me to come back hungry, hoping for takeout?"

"Of course not! I might not be a cook, but Mark makes delicious meals!"

Christine glanced at Bryant, raising her voice towards the kitchen, "Right, Mark?"

I realized then, "Mark's here too?"

"Yeah, you're celebrating your new place, right? I thought to invite a few friends over. I just called Steven and Mark, didn't bother with the others you're not too close with."Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

That's when I noticed new decorations and trinkets around the place. It felt festive.

A warmth spread through me, as I suddenly felt a genuine sense of belonging to this apartment.

I completely missed the clear shift in Bryant's expression, from sunny to a cold dreariness, in an instant.

"Jane, you're back?" Steven, who had been helping Mark in the kitchen, came running qut, his playful smile fading into guilt upon seeing Bryant at the e door.

Bryant, with one hand in his pocket, looked at him with a half-smile, "You seem cheerful."

"Ahem..."

Steven scrambled to explain, "Bryant, I thought you were busy..."

"I'm not busy."

"Well... then, do you wanna join us in... celebrating Jane's new house warming?"

Steven's words came out with difficulty, torn between the man he admired since childhood and Christine's admonishing look.

I, however, didn't make much of it.

Considering Bryant had missed my birthday every single year for the past three, why would he bother with a housewarming?

"Alright."

Unexpectedly, before Steven could finish, Bryant readily agreed, stepping in as if he owned the place.

Everyone was taken aback.

But it was Mark who eased the tension, "The more, the merrier, right?"

The atmosphere turned a bit awkward, yet Bryant seemed oblivious, casually thanki Mark, "Appreciate you coming over to celebrate."

The undertone of his words carried a subtle nuance.