Lahat ng Kabanata ng Too Late to Regret: Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 180

“I…”Candice glanced around nervously, then lowered her voice.“I’m afraid I might be pregnant. We… didn’t use protection either time. And last night, you just had to do it in the water…”Charlie was silent for a long while.She kept looking around anxiously, scared they’d run into someone they knew—or worse, that someone might recognize him and take a photo. He was way too eye-catching, and these days people were snapping photos of everything—flowers, stray cats… much less a man like him.Suddenly, her body felt weightless—he had swept her up into his arms.“Put me down!” she hissed.It was dark last night, and no one had been around. But now they were in a hospital—a princess carry? Way too over the top!Charlie ignored her protests and carried her through the most crowded corridor, looking as calm and natural as if he di

Even though nearly thirty years had passed,the man before her didn’t look all that different from back then.Older, yes—with some wrinkles—but still dignified, still carrying that refined handsomeness from his youth.The eldest son of the Lawrence family…He was James.She had lived with her mother in the Lawrence household for many years, only leaving when she started university and moved to Vanclyn.Now, James was looking at Margaret up close.His gaze froze.Their expressions made both Candice and Robert feel a flicker of suspicion.“You’re Aunt Smith’s daughter… Maria?”James dug through layers of memory and pulled out the image of a young, innocent face.He was utterly shocked.Margaret’s heart pounded wildly.She’d never dreamed that after all these years, they would meet again—and in this way, no less.But

Everyone was confused.At the door, Margaret welcomed a middle-aged woman inside.Ruth Blackwood walked into the house.She immediately spotted Charlie sitting at the dining table. That man was just too eye-catching—impossible to ignore.Her smile faltered slightly.Candice already has a boyfriend?And such a stunning man, no less…Is my son going to be heartbroken again?“Ruth, I’m so sorry—some guests dropped by today and I forgot to tell you,” Margaret said awkwardly, pulling her to the sofa.They had been on the phone frequently these past few days.Ruth was a former colleague and fellow teacher of Margaret’s. They lived in the same neighborhood and their families had frequent contact.Her son was outstanding—now a doctor.After hearing on the phone that her son was asking about Candice, Margaret realized the boy had liked her daughter for years bu

His soft, teasing whispers sent a shiver down her spine.The kiss, laced with the scent of liquor, was intoxicating. The warmth of their tangled bodies and the mingling of their lips left her tipsy. She closed her eyes and melted into his embrace, letting him take control as he wished, obedient and pliant.“I’ll take you upstairs.”Charlie released her lips, cupping her bottom to lift her effortlessly, his hand grabbing the bag of medicine from the pharmacy.Candice wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs clinging to his waist, fearing she might fall.Her face flushed deeply, her skin burning from the proximity.She nestled against his shoulder, her fingers tracing the curve of his long neck, playing with the buttons of his shirt, unfastening them one by one. Her teeth lightly nipped at his collarbone, her chest pressed close to his...But before they could even reach the upstairs room, she was pinned against the

Candice froze.Her thoughts jolted violently, as if her soul had been torn from her body.After a long pause, she finally replied with just two words: "Welcome back."Jessica had gone out of her way to add her, and even informed her she’d be returning next Wednesday—the meaning behind it couldn’t be more obvious.She vaguely recalled what Charlie’s sister had said earlier that morning, something about their mother calling a certain “so-and-so” and warning her brother to be careful.Could that “so-and-so”… be Jessica?Her heart began to sink.A moment later, she let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.Lost in her thoughts, her phone slipped from her hands into the water, instantly disappearing beneath a sea of flower petals and foam. She hurried to fish it out, but the screen was already black—completely unresponsive. It had met its end.She blinked slowly.