He Loved Her Too Late to Matter

Third Person POV

As Chelsea walked away, Magnus stood there frowning, his gaze locked on her retreating figure.

That was the first time... she'd ever talked back to him.

“Did I say something wrong?” Sabrina asked quietly, eyes red as she helped steady him.

Magnus gave her a reassuring pat. “No, don’t overthink it. Chelsea was the one out of line tonight.”

With that, he leaned on Sabrina and made his way into the ER.

Outside the hospital, Chelsea stepped into the chilly night. The streetlights flickered dimly above her as she pulled her thin jacket tighter around herself and got into her car.

When she arrived home, the villa was pitch black and silent. She stood in the doorway for a moment, breathing in deeply.

What she once believed was her safe haven… turned out to be a one-sided fantasy.

If that was the case, then maybe it was time to step away—let Magnus and Sabrina have each other.

She then washed up quickly and went to bed.

The next morning, when she woke up, Magnus still hadn’t returned.

When she checked her phone, she froze.

A message from Sabrina lit up the screen: [So what if you’re Mrs. Colon? The one Magnus has always loved is me.]

Attached to it were photos of Magnus fighting at the airport, holding Sabrina’s hand, and the two of them sleeping side by side, his arm protectively around her.

Chelsea’s eyebrows knitted together. She was about to delete it, but the bedroom door creaked open.

“Babe? You’re up early,” Magnus said as he stepped inside.

He walked over to the bed and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. But as he leaned down, the red scratch marks across his chest came into view—and they hit her like a slap to the face.

She could brush off Sabrina’s taunts. But those claw marks? That was something else.

“Babe, last night was my fault,” he said, voice soft and sincere. “Sabrina had just gotten back and already ran into trouble… I was worried. I didn’t mean to say those things to you, okay?”

He kissed the back of her hand and smiled. “I’ve arranged something for tonight. Just a small get-together—Sabrina, Michaela, a few of our friends. We’ll celebrate your birthday properly. And Michaela wants to apologize for pushing you yesterday.”

He looked into her eyes like he meant every word. But Chelsea felt nothing but cold.

Last night, after she left, she realized she had forgotten the medicine the doctor prescribed. So she drove back to the hospital.

That’s when she overheard them again.

Michaela’s voice had been anxious as she said, “Bro, the plan didn’t work last night. What now?”

Sabrina replied casually, “What’s the big deal? Just invite her out tomorrow, say it’s to apologize for the push, then slip her the drug then.”

Magnus didn’t even protest.

Chelsea didn’t stay to hear the rest. She just grabbed the medicine and left.

Now he was back, pretending nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t planned to ruin her.

“I don’t feel like going,” she said, her voice flat.

Magnus’s expression darkened for a second, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a warm smile.

“Come on, don’t be like that. Everyone’s already invited. Don’t ruin the mood, okay?”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead like nothing was wrong.

“…Fine. I’ll go,” she said. “But I’ll choose the place.”

Since he wanted her to go, she would go. Besides, she also had something she needed to do.

Magnus paused, surprised. But he nodded. “Alright. Send me the address. I’ll pick you up after work.”

As he walked away to get changed, he turned back at the door.

“Oh, and wear something nice tonight. It’s your 28th birthday. Don’t leave yourself with regrets.”

Watching his retreating figure, her heart didn’t ache anymore.