His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 10

Annika wandered aimlessly through the bustling city streets, with no idea where to go. Her phone rang. For a hopeful second, she thought it was Conrad, but the screen showed 'Dad.'

The moment she answered, Marcus Sargent’s warm, loving voice came through the line. "Honey, are you home?"

Hearing her father's voice, Annika’s throat tightened, and she fought back a fresh wave of tears. She composed herself before speaking. "Dad. Is something wrong?"

"I'm not feeling too well. Could you come and stay for a few days?"

"Of course."

She had been dreading the thought of finding a place to stay, and her father’s call was a lifeline, giving her a reason to go to her family home. Annika hailed a cab and headed for the Sargent Villa.

At the villa, Marcus, who had trouble walking, was sitting on the terrace, his brow furrowed as he read a newspaper article about Conrad’s overseas rendezvous with his lover.

Hearing the front door, he looked up. The moment he saw his daughter's pale face, he quickly folded the newspaper and hid it under his chair, pretending to be admiring the stars. "Annika, you're back."

"Dad, I came to spend some time with you." Annika handed her luggage to Lana, the housekeeper who had raised her, and walked onto the terrace. She knelt beside Marcus and began to gently massage his injured leg.

"Where's Conrad? Why didn't he bring you?"

"He's been really busy at the office. He wanted to drive me, but I told him not to. I don't want him to overwork himself."

But a father knows his daughter. Marcus saw the deep sadness in her eyes, though he didn't press the issue.

It had been a long time since Annika had been home, and they talked for hours, reminiscing about everything from her childhood to the present. Seeing how late it was, Lana came out to gently remind them, "The doctor said Mr. Sargent shouldn't sit for too long."

Annika chided herself for losing track of time. She quickly ended the conversation, wheeled Marcus into his bedroom, and helped him get settled for the night.

Afterward, she checked her phone. No missed calls, no messages. What was she even hoping for?

It had been so long since she'd slept in her childhood bed that it felt foreign. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Her nerves were frayed from the recent turmoil, so she got up, took a pill, and finally drifted off.

Conrad’s brow furrowed in annoyance, but he put his phone away and followed her silently into her room.

Once she was sure her father and Lana were out of earshot, the polite smile vanished from Annika's face. She took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and then met his cool, indifferent gaze. "Conrad, what is the meaning of this?"

"Are you asking why I came to get you?" he replied, a sneer touching his lips when she didn't answer. "Like I said, my mom sent me. If I didn't come, she threatened to disown me."

Annika let out a short, bitter laugh. "I never thought a man like you would be so obedient to his mother."

"And what kind of man is that, Annika?"

It was the first time she had ever spoken to him with such sarcasm, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. He didn't want to fight with her. Suppressing his irritation, he said, "Your father's health isn't good, and my grandfather is getting old. You know how much my mother adores you as her daughter-in-law—so much that she'd rather have you than me. Let's make a deal. Can we keep our divorce quiet for now? At least until they're both in better health."

"Fine."

With their truce established, Conrad turned and walked out of the room, with Annika following close behind. She took her coat from the rack, and as she began to fasten the belt, she called back towards the dining room.