When Love Came Too Late

Bethany stayed in the hospital for two days, but Shane never showed up again.

She opened his social media page. As expected, he was glued to Yelena again.

His cover photo was Yelena’s selfie, and every single post was about her.

It was almost funny. Bethany was his actual girlfriend, yet she had never appeared on his page once.

In the past, thinking about it would always send her emotions spiraling. During her six years with Shane, she had turned into a bitter, miserable woman.

“This terrible relationship… Maybe letting go is its own kind of relief.” Bethany smiled wryly.

Once she felt well enough, she packed her things and checked out of the hospital.

She was about to leave Sea City, but she needed to meet up with Mia Sanders first.

Mia was her best friend. After graduation, the two of them stayed in Sea City together. Bethany stayed for love, while Mia stayed to start a business. They co-owned a coffee shop.

“Mia, I can sell you my share of the coffee shop at a low price. I already promised my parents I’d go back home and get married. I won’t be coming back to Sea City.”

“Are you serious? You’re giving up on Shane and marrying someone else?”

Mia stared at her in disbelief. She could not believe what she had just heard.

Bethany had expected that reaction. She had been so loud and bold about her love for Shane. She had even sworn that she would marry no one else. Thinking back, she found herself foolish.

She tried to brush it off. “Yeah. I’ll head back after I finish tying up a few loose ends. You’ll have to be my bridesmaid.”

The coffee shop had taken a lot of effort from both of them. Mia figured that if Bethany was willing to sell her share, she must have really made up her mind to leave.

“Alright. I’m glad you’ve finally figured it out. No point hanging on to something that’s already broken.”

Mia asked Bethany to draft a contract. Once they signed it, Bethany officially cut her last tie to Sea City.

As she stepped out of the coffee shop, her phone rang. It was Shane.

“My dad’s back. He wants you to come over for dinner. The chef’s already preparing the food. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”

Bethany did not want to go, but then she thought about it again. Shane’s father still did not know that he wanted to postpone the wedding again.

She was leaving soon anyway. She might as well tell his father in person so that everything would be settled properly.

Not long after, Shane arrived to pick her up. Bethany was texting her mother about the wedding.

He glanced over and saw the word “wedding” on her screen. His face darkened.

“I told you to let your parents know we’re postponing it. You didn’t tell them?”

His tone made Bethany’s chest tighten. He knew that constant delays would make them unhappy, so he had simply dumped the problem on her.

Whenever things got hard, she was the one taking the hit, while he just stood by and watched.

Bethany chuckled. “I already told them. Don’t worry. I’m not clinging to you any longer.”

Shane froze and tried to explain himself. “You’ve got it wrong. That’s not what I meant! I just—”

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter anymore.” Bethany did not give him the chance to explain. She opened the car door and got in.

She rolled down the window and looked outside. The wind brushed against her cheek. Neither of them said another word.

When they first got together, Bethany always had so much to say. But her desire to talk had faded along with her love.

When they arrived at the Stafford villa, Bethany and Shane walked in one after another.

Shane’s father, Gavin Stafford, was a businessman. He was strict with Shane but always kind to Bethany.

“Bethany, you’re here! I asked the chef to make your favorite food. Dinner’s almost ready.”

As soon as he said that, Phoebe Lawson and Yelena came down the stairs, arm in arm.

Neither of them looked happy to see Bethany.

At dinner, Yelena insisted on sitting between Shane and Bethany and kept asking Shane to serve her some food.

“They grew up together, after all. Their bond is just special,” Phoebe said and shot Bethany a meaningful look.

Bethany felt sick. She set down her spoon and turned to Gavin.

“Mr. Stafford, the wedding has been put on hold. Shane must’ve mentioned it to you, right?”