Chapter 5 Regrets

I woke up after a sudden turn that made my eyes fly open. It wasn't intentional, but it unsettled me that I had opened them. Slowly, I blinked into the morning light spilling into the room, the white curtains brushing the ground undone, allowing golden rays to pour in and illuminate the space beautifully. I reached for the clock on the bedside table. 11:00 a.m. The realization hit me hard-I was supposed to be at work three hours ago.

Panicking, I yanked the white sheets off me and tried to get out of bed, only to crash onto the floor. A sharp, excruciating pain seared through the space between my legs. I couldn't even stand. That's when it hit me-why I felt that pain. I was undressed. Completely.

Last night.

How could I have forgotten? It was my first time. How could something I intended to treasure so easily slip from my memory?

But now, something else clawed at me-Lucien wasn't in the room. No sound of water running. No sign of him. Did he leave? Was he angry? Regretful? I was oddly relieved he hadn't seen me fall. I'd have been mortified, lying there naked and helpless. But what if his absence meant he was ashamed of what had happened between us? What if he realized it had been a mistake?

I pulled a sheet around myself and leaned on the bed for support, gasping, needing to calm my racing heart. The pain between my legs was unbearable-worse than any period cramp I had ever felt. I had heard the first time hurt, but I hadn't imagined this. It took nearly ten minutes to gather the strength and courage to rise to my feet.

My eyes scanned the room, searching for the nightdress I had worn. I spotted it folded neatly on a sofa near the wall. He must've placed it there. It hadn't been there last night.

Despite the pain, I knew I needed to straighten the bed. It would be bad manners to leave a guest bed in disarray. But the moment I pulled the sheets off, I froze.

Blood. Not a drop. A stain. A lot of it.

The pain faded into the background as humiliation surged forward. Had he seen this? My cheeks burned. I folded the sheets carefully and set them aside, deciding to shower. Before stepping into the bathroom, I locked the door-I didn't want Lucien walking in and seeing the stained sheets. I couldn't bear that.

After my shower, I grabbed one of his oversized shirts from the wardrobe and slipped it on. Then I took the sheets and looked for a bag to carry them in. I found one in a drawer-not snooping, just desperate to hide my embarrassment. I avoided looking at anything else inside.

I walked into the room I'd used last night and found a pair of Tana wide-leg jeans and a top laid out on the bed. They looked new. Maybe they were for me? Assuming so, I wore them and headed downstairs, carrying the bag discreetly.

There he was-Lucien. Sitting at the dining table, head in his hands. He looked like he was deep in thought, something heavy weighing him down. He must've sensed me, because he looked up. I couldn't meet his eyes. Not after last night.

"Hey. Morning. You hungry? I made some breakfast. Don't say no-I know you're hungry."

His tone was... off. Friendly, but distant. Something wasn't right. I didn't want to talk. I just wanted to eat and vanish. I ate quickly, thankful he wasn't watching me. I was already late for work, and I knew I'd be scolded, but I'd take it. I needed that paycheck-especially with hospital bills piling up.

When I finished, I stood to carry the plates to the kitchen. That's when he spoke again. His voice cracked the silence, and for some reason, it hurt.

"About last night... You didn't have to do that."

There it was. I had a bad feeling, and it just landed like a knife in my chest.

"Huh?" I feigned confusion, hoping he'd drop it. But his expression hardened. He stood and walked toward me, eyes fierce. I shrank a little.

"What kind of person lets a man into her pants the night they meet?" His voice rose. "Why did you do that? Do you even realize what you've done? Are you okay with this? Because it's fucking sick and I hate it-"

I couldn't let him speak to me like that.

"I was trying to help you," I cut in softly. But it sounded weak. Pathetic, even. I wasn't good at arguments. Silence seemed better.

"Help me? Help me with what? Did I ask you for help?" he snapped. "And that's your version of helping? Seducing someone and having sex with them? What do you get from that? Is that how you 'thank' every guy who shows up for you? If someone else saves you next time, is that how you'll repay them too?"

He was relentless.

"That was so stupid of you. Actually, it's the dumbest thing a girl can do. And I don't mean to be rude, but I regret saving you last night. I wish I hadn't brought you here. Should've just let you go home. Maybe then I wouldn't be caught up in this mess. I don't know what made me stop my car in the first place-"

Please don't cry. Please don't cry.

That's all I kept repeating in my head. But my tears didn't listen.Then came the worst blow.

"How much do you need?"

The plates and glass slipped from my hands and shattered on the floor. The loud crash echoed in the room.

"What... what do you mean?" I asked, barely able to form the words through the tears.

"The money. For your 'help.' Isn't that what people like you ask for in return?"

That was it.He thought I was a call girl.

I couldn't do this. I'd scream if I stayed a second longer.

"Thanks for saving me last night," I said through clenched teeth. "And thank you for your offer. But I don't need it. I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry I came into your life. But you have nothing to worry about-because I don't think we'll ever meet again"

I grabbed the bag with the sheets and left.