Lost Me Gained Regret

I sat up, stretching my hand out to flick on the bedside lamp, and the room brightened up instantly.

Unexpectedly, I saw him in a state I'd never seen before. The always poised and dignified figure with a shadow of stubble along his jaw and dark circles under his eyes suggesting days and nights without sleep was a picture of sheer frustration. What mess had the Ferguson Group gotten into to keep him that busy?

I frowned slightly. "You'd be better off catching some sleep than coming to see me.

His defined and strong fingers tugged at his tie, loosening it, a bitter curve to his mouth, "Now I understand the pain of losing a child."

I clenched my fist, a mocking smile on my lips. "Bryant, I don't need your empathy. Just remember that you're the one who killed your first child. That's enough."

Pain flitted through his eyes, his lips parted slightly, his voice hoarse, "Do you hate me that much?"

"I do." I admitted, "I can't stand you and Margaret. If you feel the slightest debt to me or our child, show up next month at the town hall for the divorce papers."

"Okay." He swallowed hard, his gaze dropping, murmuring, "As you wish."

That night, my sleep was anything but peaceful. Despite finally making a tough decision, couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't end so smoothly. The unsettling sensation kept me restless and agitated.

However, the next day brought a piece of welcome news.

On the phone, Mark's voice was brimming with laughter. "Designer Jane, you never I

impress."

"Uh?" I paused mid-bite into my apple. "Mark, you're in the mood for jokes this early?"

"What if I say you're the design contest's winner?" Mark chuckled, "Does this sound like I'm joking?"

"Really?" I jumped up, my eyes lighting up.

It was a delightful surprise. After going through all those shits recently, I dared not to hope for any good result in the contest.

Mark's voice was clear and refreshing. "Of course, I was amazed by your design when I saw it. But a competition is a competition. It had to go through a jury vote, so I didn't want to get your hopes up."Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

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I couldn't hide my excitement. "Mark, thank you!"

"Next time you say thank you, I'm expecting a dinner invite," he teased.

I said, "No time like the present. Let's dine out today."

Mark had been such a great help. It was only right to treat him to a fancy meal. I laughed, "How about tonight? Are you free?"

"My pleasure." Mark readily agreed, a hint of joy in his voice.

After the call, Christine, sitting nearby, burst into laughter. "Am I invited, too?"

I smiled at her. "Of course."

"Mark won't mind me being the third wheel?" Christine teased.

"Don't be silly. Mark's got someone he likes." I chuckled and quickly got to the point, "Let's get discharged today. I'm fine, and there's no point staying here, feeling suffocated."

Christine initially disagreed, but after confirming with the doctor that I was well enough, she happily consented.

She'd been like a loyal friend, sticking by my side in the hospital these past days, and was going stir-crazy, too.

"Feel like shopping? A massive new mall just opened a few days ago As we were packing up. Christine suddenly suggested. I, too, felt like getting some fresh air, so I readily agreed.

The mall was in the southern part of town, and being a weekday, it wasn't too crowded.

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