# Chapter 48 Drunk: The Weight of Regret
The soft, melodic strains of a violin piece drifted through the car's interior like a gentle stream washing over river stones. Nicole recognized it immediately—her favorite, "Serenade"—and let the music wash away the tension that had been coiled in her shoulders all night.
She tugged absently at the hem of her dress, her mind wandering through the evening's events. Beside her, Grant observed his sister with quiet intensity.
"Lil N," he said, breaking the comfortable silence, "is Ian Carter pursuing you?"
The question caught Nicole off guard, and she stilled her fingers against the fabric. Her brother had always been sharp—he could spot trouble from a mile away, and apparently, Ian's behavior hadn't escaped his notice.
"Nah," she replied with a dismissive wave, though her voice betrayed a hint of unease. "He's just fooling around. He'll be back to normal in a few days."
Grant turned away, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "So you don't like him?"
It was strange, really. The Stantons and Carters had always shared a close bond—one that had allowed Nicole to grow up alongside both Ian and Hugh without anyone raising an eyebrow. But now, something had shifted.
"He's had too many girlfriends," Grant continued, his tone carrying a protective edge. "His private life is too messy. He's not suitable for you." He paused, weighing his next words carefully. "But if you're truly happy..."
Nicole laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "What are you implying? How could I go for my friend? Besides, I'm not interested in men right now. I just want to focus on my career!"
The visible satisfaction that spread across Grant's face was almost comical. "Yes, men are nothing. You can take things slow."
*I must train my baby sister to become the world's richest woman!*
The driver, catching the exchange in his rearview mirror, shook his head silently. *Eldest Young Master is a bad influence on the Young Lady...*
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Across the city, the private room at Tattle Bar was already thick with the smell of expensive whiskey and the weight of unspoken regrets.
Eric Ferguson had started drinking long before his friends arrived. By the time Colton White and the others walked through the door, several empty bottles stood like silent witnesses in front of him. Keith watched helplessly from the side, his attempts to stop his friend futile against Eric's determination.
The scene hit Colton like a physical blow. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Eric like this—not since Hendrick's death, years ago.
"What's going on?" Colton rushed forward, alarm raising his voice. "Why did you guys start drinking already?"
Eric tipped back another glass of cold whiskey, his expression unchanging as the liquid burned down his throat. "Sit," he commanded, extending his hand toward the empty seats.
Everyone settled into their places, exchanging bewildered glances. Keith, still sober, poured drinks for everyone. *Bros should go through thick and thin together, am I right?*
Colton leaned closer to Keith. "Bro, what happened here?"
Keith pursed his lips, hesitating. "What else could it be?" he muttered. "It must be because of his stupid ex-wife..."
But he dared not say it louder. Eric's eyes had darkened, waves of emotion churning beneath the surface. He tugged at his messy shirt collar, revealing his collarbone, a gesture of pure frustration.
"I was married for three years," Eric said, his voice rough from the alcohol, "but I didn't introduce you guys to Nicole. Do you know her?"
The name hung in the air—impossible to ignore, impossible to forget. Everyone knew Nicole now, after that viral party video.
"Just because of her?" Colton scoffed, oblivious to the danger in Eric's expression. "Ferg, you both aren't of the same social status. Divorce was just a matter of time. Don't be so sad. Speaking of which, we should even celebrate it!"
Keith's eyes went wide, desperately trying to signal Colton to stop. But Colton pressed on, encouraged by the nods around him.
"Yeah! She's not on our level," another friend chimed in. "There's no need to introduce her. You don't even like her—we've never acknowledged her as our 'sister-in-law.'"
"Right, didn't she marry you with a motive?" someone else added. "We've seen gold diggers before. Don't take it to heart."
The words should have felt like vindication. Instead, they carved into Eric's chest like shards of glass. *Look—it's because of my acquiescence that Nicole got hurt...*
"She had a motive?" Eric's voice was barely a whisper, then grew stronger with each word. "I can't think of what her motive was... She didn't spend a penny of what I gave her. She threw it all out at that party when she fought with Wendy. She didn't want anything when she asked for a divorce—left without taking a cent..."
His friends fell silent as he continued, the alcohol loosening the dam of his thoughts.
"My family bullied her like that, yet she didn't say a word. She acted like everything was fine in front of me. My friends ignored her, yet she just shrunk into her shell quietly and didn't even complain..."
The whiskey burned again as he swallowed. "What exactly did she want?"
Keith, unable to contain himself any longer, recounted the night's events—the truth about the Carringtons, the mistreatment from Eric's mother and sister, the suffering Nicole had endured alone.
But his friends remained unmoved. They refilled their glasses and dismissed his concerns with casual cruelty.
"Ferg, you're just soft-hearted. It's not your fault. Why are you blaming yourself?"
"Yeah, she asked for it. Women just like to find trouble for themselves. If she had a problem, she should've told you in time. If she kept it to herself, who can help her?"
"Who doesn't have some conflicts at home? She can't blame anyone for not being able to handle your mother and sister."
"Stop thinking about it. Since she wanted a divorce, she should make a clean break. You don't owe each other anything."
Eric listened, the words washing over him like rain against glass—visible but failing to penetrate. He raised his glass again, watching the amber liquid catch the dim light.
They didn't understand. None of them did.
The one person he owed everything to was the one person he had failed the most.
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter cuts deep. Watching Eric slowly unravel as the reality of his treatment of Nicole crashes down on him is both satisfying and heartbreaking. The contrast between Nicole's peaceful car ride with Grant—where her brother genuinely cares about her happiness—and Eric's drunken spiral among friends who only enable his denial is brilliantly drawn.
What strikes hardest is Eric's realization: *"What exactly did she want?"* He's finally asking the right question, three years too late. His friends' casual dismissal of Nicole's suffering mirrors exactly the environment that allowed Eric to ignore her pain in the first place. The irony is beautiful and tragic—they think they're comforting him, but they're only proving why he lost her.
Grant's protective energy toward Nicole is a breath of fresh air. His determination to make her "the world's richest woman" shows a love that's unconditional and proactive, the exact opposite of what she received from Eric.
**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5 Stars)**
A masterful chapter of emotional reckoning. The parallel scenes between Nicole's healthy support system and Eric's toxic circle paint a vivid picture of why their marriage failed. The only thing keeping this from a perfect score is the lingering frustration that Eric still hasn't fully owned his choices—he's blaming circumstances rather than himself.
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## Next Chapter Prediction
Nicole's rising career is bound to collide with Eric's world. With the truth about the Carringtons now exposed and her divorce papers finalized, she's free to step into her power. But Eric, freshly confronted with his failures, won't stay passive for long. Expect him to seek her out—not to win her back yet, but to demand answers he's not ready to hear. Meanwhile, Ian Carter's pursuit of Nicole is about to become much more complicated, especially with Grant now watching like a hawk. The next chapter will likely bring these forces together, forcing Nicole to choose between the freedom she's earned and the past she's leaving behind.