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Chapter 6 - Derek’s POV

مؤلف: Anney GW
last update آخر تحديث: 2025-11-18 17:36:29

The divorce papers sat on my desk like a silent accusation. They’d hovered there in the corner of my eye while I shuffled meaningless papers and pretended to work.

My wife’s signature across the bottom was bold and decisive. It was the same hand that had once left me love notes in my briefcase. Now it was signing away our marriage.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to erase the memories that kept coming up in my mind. The crash, the smell of gasoline, the rising flames and rain of debris as the car exploded.

The way my instincts had betrayed everything I’d believed about myself.

I’d gone straight for Savannah. It wasn’t until after I’d rescued her that I realized Claire was still in the car, trapped and injured.

Along with my daughter.

My chest was so tight I could barely breathe. I loved Emma more than life, and I’d left her there to burn. What kind of man was I?

I rubbed my face with shaking hands.

Adrian had done what I should have done. The image was burned into my mind:
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  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 15 - Claire’s POV

    I sat in the front passenger seat of Adrian’s car, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. My heart was still pounding from my confrontation with Derek. And I couldn’t imagine what Adrian was thinking. My face flushed with embarrassment; thank God he couldn’t see it in the dark. “You okay over there?” Adrian asked, his voice gentle and humorous. “I’m sorry for putting you in the middle of that ridiculous scene,” I said, twisting my hands in my lap. “You didn’t deserve that.” “No worries.” He glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road. “I didn't mind. I liked getting to know you better.”“Yeah?” I said, feeling a little less self-conscious. He smiled. “You were standing up for yourself. That was good to see.” I swallowed through a suddenly tight throat. “Ummm…” I said. He was being so nice and understanding. I hope that didn’t change. “I lied to Derek about you.” “What about?” He still sounded amused.“I told him you were my boyfriend.” There. It was out.He l

  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 14 - Derek’s POV

    That night, I still couldn’t come up with an answer. My mind kept replaying the scene, over and over. The sound of the slap, her voice breaking, the sting of her words. I poured another drink. The smoky liquid burned all the way down, but did nothing to dull the greater pain. The pain of knowing that she’d left with him. My cheek still throbbed from where she’d slapped me. I could still feel her lips against mine. Another drink would fix it. I’d need to open a new bottle soon. I was halfway through my glass when I heard light footsteps in the hall outside my study. Emma opened the door. She was wearing her pink pyjamas and her hair was mussed with sleep. Her hearing aid was blinking red with a dead battery. She signed something, her little hands fluttering in the dim light. “Emma,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead. “Slow down.”She frowned and signed again, her gestures slow and precise. I caught a few words—Mommy, sad, something about school—but I couldn’t keep up. Normally the

  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 13 - Derek’s POV

    Adrian leaned closer to Claire, murmuring something I couldn’t hear. She laughed softly, the sound slicing through me. His hand brushed hers. My jaw clenched.Savannah noticed. She tilted her head, and a look of calculation flashed through her eyes. “You two seem close,” she said brightly. “It’s so nice to see you happy, Claire.”“Yes, we are close,” Claire replied. She picked up her fork and resumed eating. Adrian exerted himself to make polite small talk and Claire relaxed slightly. The atmosphere lightened. Anyone who walked in would think we were a normal, happy group. They’d be wrong. When Claire excused herself to go to the restroom, I acted on instinct and got up to follow her.She was already inside when I entered, washing her hands. “Are you following me now?” she said without looking up.“I need to talk to you.”“About what? Dinner etiquette?”“About this,” I said, stepping closer. “You showing up with him.”She raised her eyebrows. “I beg your pardon?” I caught her arm.

  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 12 - Derek’s POV

    She was the last person I’d expected to see tonight. A wave of irritation rolled over me, leaving my shoulders tight and my stomach unsettled. My wife was standing by the entrance, her chin high, her hand nestled in the crook of another man’s arm. Adrian. I knew his type. Mister cool, calm, and collected. Look at him now, with that pleasant, relaxed smile on his face. They looked so comfortable together. It was all I could do not to rush over and separate them. Savannah’s sweet voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Claire’s family too! Let her in,” she said. That beautiful smile I loved so much lit up her face.Claire stiffened. “No thanks,” she said. “We already have plans.” The words were polite, but she faced her sister with a sneer that turned them into cutting sarcasm.Her father thought the same thing. “Don’t talk to your sister like that, Claire. Why are you being rude to your family?”An icy smile touched Claire’s lips. “Family?” she said. “No. You’ve only got one daughter, a

  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 11 - Claire’s POV

    Adrian's house was on the edge of town. It had a big yard surrounded by tall trees, the perfect place for a child to grow up. Adrian greeted me at the door, Ethan peeking at me from behind his legs.“This is Ethan,” Adrian said. “He’s a little shy.” “I don’t mind shy,” I said, crouching down so I wasn’t towering over the boy. I’d read up on his condition since Adrian told me about it. Traumatic mutism wasn’t an uncommon response to witnessing a violent death, and Ethan had had a front-row seat for his mother’s accident. He’d managed to call emergency services, but that was the last time he’d spoken.To anybody. Ethan was a slender boy with Adrian’s gray eyes, along with high cheekbones and dark hair he must have inherited from his mother. His gaze darted away the instant I smiled at him and he clutched at the hem of his father’s shirt like a lifeline.“Nice to see you, Ethan,” I signed. “Emma says hi.” He shuffled his feet and looked down, embarrassed.“She says she’s seen you a

  • Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO   Chapter 10 - Claire’s POV

    I froze for a second, then set down my fork. “He’s not here. We’re getting a divorce.” His expression darkened. “What?”“It’s been coming for a while.” I kept my voice even. “He’s with someone else now.”He shook his head. “That’s unbelievable. He shouldn’t leave you when you’re still so vulnerable, recovering from your injury.” “Oh, I’m the one leaving him,” I replied. “The divorce was my idea.” That made him pause. “It was?”“Yes.” I forced a smile, although my chest felt heavy. “I just ended a marriage that never should’ve happened in the first place.”He watched me quietly for a moment, studying my face like he was trying to read my thoughts. “You’re a strong woman, Claire,” he said.“I don’t feel strong,” I replied. “Mostly I just feel tired.” “You don’t have to pretend around me, you know.” He reached out and briefly laid a warm hand on my arm.The concern in his voice loosened the tightness in my chest. “Thank you,” I said. “For being here. For doing all this.” He smiled.

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