The Billionaire's Regret Came Too Late

2: 2

I slept for two days straight in my little apartment.

My mother called on the third day.

"Dot, have you and Merlin made up?"

"No."

"Why are you so stubborn? Your dad and I already said it's fine. What are you still making a fuss about?"

There was an edge of worry in her voice.

"Merlin came all the way to the house, loaded down with bags and bags of gifts, apologizing over and over."

"He says he knows he was wrong, and he wants you to stop being angry."

I gripped the phone.

"Mom, did you take the gifts?"

"No. Your dad wouldn't let me. But the boy had a good attitude. I think he really is sorry."

"Stop being so stubborn with him and come home."

I drew a deep breath.

"Mom, stay out of this one."

"How can I stay out of it? This is about the rest of your life!"

"I've already decided."

I looked out the window and hung up.

I knew exactly how Merlin operated.

If he couldn't handle me, he'd go work on my parents.

He knew they were soft-hearted, and he knew how much they valued this match.

Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, an unknown number called.

I didn't pick up.

The caller wouldn't give up, ringing again and again.

Finally, sick of it, I answered.

"Dorothy, your mother said you weren't home."

Merlin's voice sounded tired.

"Where I am is none of your business."

"Can you please just stop this?"

He softened his tone.

"I handled that day badly. I admit it."

"I apologized to you, and I apologized to your parents."

"What exactly do you want?"

What did I want.

I thought of my mother's soaked clothes, my father limping along.

I thought of the tissue he handed his assistant, Leonora.

"Merlin, I don't want anything."

"I just think we're not right for each other."

"Not right for each other?"

He gave a short laugh, as if the idea were absurd.

"We've been together two years, and now you tell me we're not right for each other?"

"Dorothy, do you think I can't live without you?"

I said nothing.

"Let me tell you, there are plenty of women who'd want to marry me. Don't throw kindness back in my face."

His patience had run out, and the real face showed through.

"Then go find them."

I hung up.

At last, the world was quiet.

I changed my number and found a new job at a small design firm.

A new life began, busy and full.

Merlin and I, I thought that was where our story ended.

A month later I went with a new coworker to an industry cocktail party.

I saw Merlin at the door.

He'd gotten thinner. In a well-cut suit, he was still the center of the room.

A woman stood beside him. Not Leonora.

Someone I didn't know, her makeup flawless, her smile sweet.

Standing together, they looked well matched.

I lowered my head and tried to slip past.

"Dorothy?"

He'd seen me anyway.

I stopped and looked up.

The woman beside him studied me with curiosity.

"Long time no see."

I forced out a smile.

Merlin's expression was hard to read. He looked at me, then at the young man beside me, my new coworker, a guy named Frank James.

"And this is?"

"My coworker, Frank."

Frank gave him a polite nod.

Merlin ignored it. His eyes came back to me.

"You changed jobs?"

"Yes."

"Changed your number too?"

"Yes."

"Dorothy, you really are cold, aren't you."

He bit off each word.

I didn't want to get tangled up with him in front of everyone.

"We're going in now."

I took Frank's arm to leave.

"Wait."

He put out a hand to block me.

The woman beside him didn't look pleased and tugged at his sleeve.

"Merlin."

He didn't move, his eyes locked on me.

"Are you with him now?"

He pointed at Frank.

Frank frowned.

"Sir, please show some respect."

Merlin gave a cold laugh.

"What? I say a few words to my ex-girlfriend and you have to step in?"

He leaned hard on those two words, ex-girlfriend.

I shook off his hand.

"Merlin, what exactly do you want?"

"I just want to ask. You found a replacement this fast?"

"Is that all your affection was worth? That cheap?"

People around us were already watching.

I didn't want to make a scene.

"Who I like, who I'm with, none of it has anything to do with you."

"We already broke up."

I pulled Frank around him and walked quickly into the party.

Behind me came his voice, low and strained.

"Dorothy, you'll regret this."