Lost Me Gained Regret

On the other end of the line, Edith instantly knew something was off the moment she heard the news.

Raising an eyebrow with intrigue, she teased, "What's that supposed to mean? Who's been wearing that robe? Come on, bro, spill the beans or else..."

Gregory, utterly unfazed, didn't even bother to look up. "Or else what?"

Edith smirked. "I'll hop on the next flight home and take my son with me."

Stripping him of his backup, she was playing hardball.

Putting his work aside, Gregory lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. "Jane was here last night."

Edith gasped. "That's quick progress, isn't it?"

Already in bathrobes!

"Bullcrap."

Gregory cursed with a laugh, then got back on track. "She was drugged, almost certainly by Bella's daughter."NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

He had made a few calls right after Jane had left the previous night to check the guest list of the party.

It was a who's who of the entertainment world, and the only person Jane knew there was Bella.

Bella's care for Jane seemed genuine.

The only possible culprit left was Summer.

"Bella's daughter?"

Edith puzzled. "Does she have a beef with Jane?"

"Two years ago, the fake that Dorothy Myers brought in to replace Lilliana? That was her."

Edith grew more shocked. "Isn't she Bella's daughter? Why would she do something like impersonation..."

"I'm asking you to find out, aren't I?"

"...Alright."

Now in the loop, Edith dropped the gossip, getting back to business: "Bella's a tough nut to crack. Rumor has it, only her close confidante Ivy knows all her secrets."

"Ivy?" Gregory frowned. "Her agent?"

Edith nodded. "That's right."

Gregory flicked his cigarette ash. "Then think of something."

"Think of what exactly?"

Edith paused, then laughed in frustration. "You want me to deal with her agent?"

"Women have their ways of talking. Isn't this your forte?"

Rolling her eyes, Edith conceded. "Alright, wait and see. And don't forget, this is going to cost you extra."

"Deal."

For once, Gregory was generous. "I'll cover your travel expenses as well."

"Thanks, boss!"

Pleased, Edith then grew contemplative, cautiously probing, "How's your mood been lately? What does the doctor say?"

His therapist was a friend of hers, though not a close one.

At the mention, Gregory extinguished his cigarette. "Mostly stable."

As long as Jane doesn't provoke him, like she did last night, he could keep his emotions in check.

Hearing this, Edith ventured, "So, nothing happened between you and Jane last night?"

"...Not really."

Jane had kissed him. Does that count?

He thought back to the moment she had nestled into his embrace, whispering softly as she drew herself up to kiss him.

Her long hair cascading down, creating a stark contrast against her pale, delicate skin...

The way she breathed in his arms...

Just one glance was enough to kindle all his desires.

Yet, in the end, he had restrained himself...

He was afraid she'd regret it once sober.

He wanted her willing.

Both in mind and body, utterly and willingly his!

Edith, picking up on the hesitation,~~ prodded further, "Didn't you take the chance last night to ask her what she's been up to these past two years?"

"No."

n

At that moment, seeing her in such discomfort, Gregory had other things on his mind.

He was completely focused on suppressing his own desires, almost choking himself in the process. Pondering, Edith casually asked, "Have you ever thought about what kind of answer you're hoping for?" "What do you mean?"

"Do you want to hear she's been doing well, or not?"

Faced with this question, Gregory leaned back in his chair, momentarily stiffening, his gaze deepening.

He had never considered what answer he truly wanted. All he wanted was to understand what he meant to her.

As for whether she's been faring well...

He'd be laughed at for admitting that

for the first twenty-plus years of his life, all he wished was for her happiness, her life to be smooth sailing, regardless of whether he was by her side.

He just wanted her to be alive.

But these past two years, he wished for her to be well, but only with him.

If Jane wasn't with him, no matter how well or poorly she was doing, he'd want to torment her.

He couldn't stand seeing Jane with someone else.

Nor could he trust her with anyone else.

She was too naive; she needed him.

When silence lingered, Edith wondered, "Gregory? Are you listening?"

"I am."

Gregory snapped back to reality, forcing a smile. "I hope she's doing better than me."

"Got it."

"What did you get?" Gregory asked.

Edith merely raised an eyebrow. "Guess?"

She had realized that if Gregory knew Jane had been struggling with depression, barely making it out, and then to be deliberately made things difficult for and treated coldly by him, Gregory would probably lose it.