Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)

The meeting place Mark texted me about was a quaint, cozy little coffee shop.

Gregory and I walked in together, "Hey, Mark."

Mark turned around, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes at the sight of Gregory, almost betraying his emotions.

His gaze briefly swept over my belly before he returned to his usual, gentle smile. "Jane, didn't I say you should come alone?"

For some reason, something felt off, but my subconscious trust in him pushed that feeling aside. I smiled, explaining, "Hey, Mark, Gregory was just worried about me going out alone..."

Gregory wrapped an arm around me, his eyes suddenly turning icy as he cut in, "Looks like you might have damaged your base neural circuits there."

The room went silent for a beat as I processed his meaning.

The fundamental neural circuits play a key role in regulating the flow and rhythm of speech.

Gregory was basically saying Mark had lost his ability to speak sensibly.

Mark, however, didn't seem to mind the jab. He looked squarely at Gregory, "Mr. Ford, could I have a moment alone with Jane, please?"

Hearing this, I tugged at Gregory's sleeve, worried he might get the wrong idea.

Gregory clicked his tongue, swallowing his pride, "Don't worry, I'm not that petty."

After all, we both knew why we were here today.

"Just call if something feels off," he whispered to me before turning to leave.

He wouldn't have let me stay alone if it wasn't for Granny. But he knew my choice would always be to stay, so he didn't make it hard for me.

I calmed myself, turning to Mark, "Mark, what did you mean on the phone? Do you know where to get an antidote?"

"Let's sit first."

Mark gestured for me to take a seat, pouring me a cup of coffee before fixing his gaze on me, a mix of complex emotions flickering aeross his face. Finally, he let out a bitter smile.

"Jane, are you here for me today, or just for Granny?"

I paused, biting my lip, "What's going on with you?"

That unsettling feeling grew stronger.

Mark took a sip of his coffee, his voice still gentle but his words sending my mind reeling.

"Just for Granny, right? Jane, I can give you the antidote, but I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"Break up with Gregory."

He glanced outside where Gregory

stood under the shadow of the trees, a figure blurred and distant, a near-pathological obsession apparent in his eyes, "And then, be with me."

"Mark..."

I couldn't believe it, my hand trembling so much that the cup of coffee I'd just lifted nearly slipped from my grasp, scalding my hand with its hot contents, a sharp reminder that this was no illusion.

Seeing my reaction, Mark reached out to grab my arm, "How could you..."

"Mark!"

I jumped back in shock, standing up so fast that the heavy chair I was sitting on tipped over and crashed loudly to the floor.

Mark stopped, his hand hanging in mid-air, a hint of hurt crossing his face, "You... think I'd hurt you?"

"I..." I clenched my hand, finding myself at a loss for words. Luckily, Gregory, hearing the commotion, barged in, grabbing Mark's arm and twisting it sharply. He pulled me behind him, then kicked out fiercely.