His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 69

Whether he was truly drunk or just emotionally spiraling, Conrad lost control and started calling Annika’s phone again and again. Each time, it rang for sixteen seconds before disconnecting.

He drove aimlessly, with no idea where to find her. He called the housekeeper, Beth, who told him Annika hadn’t returned. He cruised around the city for a while until he finally pulled over to the curb. He killed the engine, and when he looked up, he saw the words “The Sargent Villa” on the gate.

He lit another cigarette, the white smoke blurring his features. The bitter, acrid taste of nicotine filled his mouth, a perfect match for the turmoil in his heart. When the cigarette burned down to the filter, he tossed it out the window, opened the car door, and, as if guided by some unseen force, walked toward the villa.

Lana, the housekeeper, heard the car and came outside. Seeing Conrad, she glanced back into the living room and called out, “Mr. Beryl, good evening.”

Conrad wasn’t completely drunk. He managed a slight nod. “Is she back?”

“Yes.” Lana gave a soft affirmation and quickly turned back inside.

Conrad stumbled after her into the foyer and saw Annika immediately. She was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. She must have heard Lana greet him, because her body had tensed. As his familiar footsteps approached, she looked up, her eyes meeting his deep, dark gaze for a fleeting second before she turned her attention back to the screen, flicking through channels with the remote.

Her cold indifference was a knife in his gut. He staggered toward her and called her name softly. “Annika.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes still glued to the television.

It was as if Conrad had forgotten how to speak. He just stood before her, motionless as a statue.

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