Too Late To Love Her

Minutes turned to hours, and soon, it was evening.

I was still at work, reviewing some documents when Zane walked into my office holding a bouquet of red roses. I tucked my papers into my bag without saying a word and gave him a quick kiss before we left.

As we headed downstairs, I handed the bouquet to one of the interns. She squealed in delight and hugged the flowers to her chest.

Zane said nothing.

The car ride to the venue I had sent him earlier in the day was tense, stale, and silent. It didn’t take long before we pulled up to the private lounge I’d chosen to fit my plan.

It was a private space, and I planned to turn the tables on them tonight.

As soon as we stepped inside, the loud and obnoxious music made me frown.

“There you are, Elenora. We thought you wouldn’t come,” Sasha waved at us.

I turned to Zane, stunned at the audacity. “You invited her?”

“She’s family,” he simply said and brushed past me.

“Come sit with us,” Melissa said, suddenly appearing behind me like a ghost, latching onto my hand with a firm grip and pulling me toward their table.

“They were supposed to throw me a welcome party today,” Sasha said with a hollow smile on her lips, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “But Zane insisted on celebrating your birthday properly, so here we all are.”

She gave Melissa a look filled with mock concern. “See how much Zane and all of us love and care about you? I hope my presence isn’t too much of a bother.”

“I’m sorry too, Elenora. Can you forgive me? Pretty please?” Melissa batted her lashes with fake sweetness and exaggerated mockery.

My eyes scanned the room filled with strangers.

Everyone present was one of Sasha, Zane, or Melissa’s friends.

Not even Britney, who claimed to be my friend, had shown up—despite the invite I’d sent.

A dry laugh rose in my throat.

This party looked like Sasha’s welcome party in disguise.

Zane reappeared with two glasses of wine.

“Baby, on behalf of all of us who made yesterday a terrible day for you, I want to apologize. Here is a fresh start—to us having a joyful and lasting marriage for the rest of our life. Cheers,” he said and pushed the drink in front of me.

I eyed the glass filled with sizzling wine.

“If you truly forgive us, take the wine,” Melissa said gently—too gently.

My eyes flicked to Zane, who held the drink, smiling softly at me.

I wasn’t stupid.

This was a repeat of what happened at the party.

I smiled softly.

“If you’re truly sorry, why don’t you drink the wine? I’m pregnant and I can’t drink wine now. You can drink it for me, right?” I said sweetly, “Honey?”

But the whole room froze.

Time stopped.

Sasha instantly became ashen and pale like the blood had been drained from her. “What?!”

Zane’s face dropped, the wine glass in his hand shaking.

Before the tension could settle, Melissa snapped, “Oh, come on, don’t be a liar. Why haven’t we seen signs?” She scoffed. “You’re just trying to hurt Sasha. Take the wine and let’s call a truce.”

“But you can drink it on my behalf,” I turned to my husband and pressed. “Right, honey? Melissa? Sasha? Anyone?”

Sasha dropped into a chair, clutching her chest.

“I don’t believe you one bit! You are arrogant—” Melissa lunged for me, but Zane stopped her.

“That’s enough!” he barked coldly.

I smiled internally. They hadn’t expected me to flip the table this easily and shatter them.

Zane downed his wine in one gulp furiously and then hurled his empty glass across the room.

Sasha was having a panic attack in her seat.

“Elenora, how long were you planning on hiding this from me? We’re trying to apologize, make peace, and make today a happy day for you—and you do this?” he snarled, stepping into my face, radiating fury.

“Why do you have to be so goddamn difficult?! Don’t embarrass your family and your name with this kind of behavior.”

He shoved the glass in my face. “Drink it. Don’t ruin the mood.”

I stared at the drink, then at the face of the man I had loved for five years. My heart no longer ached. I just pitied Zane for being such a terrible person.

“No,” I said coldly and turned to leave. But Zane wasn’t finished.

Before I knew it, he yanked me back forcefully and shoved me into a chair.

I gasped, stunned. He gripped my jaw with bruising strength, forcing my mouth open as he poured the wine down my throat.

I choked, struggling to break free from his iron grip.

No one stopped him.

No one helped me.

Some were recording.

Others watched, murmuring, amused at the spectacle.

My vision blurred.

Humiliation seared through me.

When he was sure the glass was empty and the contents had gone down my throat, Zane finally let go. I gasped for air, pushed him away, and bolted out of the lounge.

I stumbled outside, bent over, and shoved my fingers down my throat until everything in my stomach came up. My hands finally dropped limp at my side, exhausted.

Gasping, I wiped my tears and tried to fix my disheveled hair. I was a mess and looked like a wreck.

But instead of sadness, I chuckled bitterly. I knew tonight was a setup meant to break me.

Yet part of me had still hoped, after everything, he’d spare me some dignity. I’d been wrong—and terribly mistaken.

A deep breath escaped me, and finally, the tears I’d been holding back for days came rushing out. They were tears of freedom. I cried until my heart felt lighter.

Soon, another vehicle pulled into the driveway

“Look who it is. Elenora Kings. I was starting to think I’d never see you again,” a deep, velvety voice greeted me before the man shut his door and approached.

I offered a small smile. “Hello, Leon. I’m sorry for dragging you out here so abruptly after years of no contact.”

“It’s all good,” he shrugged, pulling me into a warm hug. “I missed you so much, Elenora. How have you been?” Leon’s voice was warm, smooth, and familiar.

“I’ve been… good,” I lied. “To make it up to you, why don’t I take you out to dinner tomorrow?”

Leon laughed. “Please. There’s no need. A gentleman knows not to pressure a lady. You’ve been busy, and I gave you your space.” He smiled. “Now, I assume this isn’t about catching up. Let’s talk about why I’m really here.”

I nodded and went straight to business. “Of course. I want to divorce my husband.”

Leon’s smile faded. “You’re serious about that? Do you want someone to talk to? I’m here to listen.”

I sighed, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes.

Leon and I had met through our fathers. His dad had been my father’s lawyer, and Leon took over after law school. We went separate ways after college—him finishing law school, and me getting married.

Now he had his own firm, and this lounge was one of his properties. He’d been happy to let me rent it out, and I saw it as an opportunity to reconnect and discuss the divorce.

“I’ve been having…” I paused with a small smile. “It’s fine. How quick can you start the divorce process?”

A low growl stopped Leon from talking. I turned.

Zane.

He looked furious, Sasha at his heels, eyes sharp with venom as they took in Leon beside me. “Are you cheating on me?!” he roared.

“I knew she was a cheap liar!” Sasha countered.

But I smiled and then, without a word, walked up to her. My hand snapped out and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across Sasha’s face.

Sasha gasped, stumbling backward, clutching her cheek in stunned silence.

Zane lunged toward me, eyes blazing, but Leon stepped in front of him, shielding me. “Step the fuck back, now!” he warned.

My husband froze, fists clenched, breathing hard.

Leon wrapped a protective hand around me and led me to his car without another glance at them.

As Leon drove away, I couldn’t help but notice the twisted rage on Sasha’s face— and Zane’s eyes burned with something darker.

They both screamed danger.