Semua Bab A Regret too Late: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Willow was shocked to hear it. "You want a divorce? Why so suddenly? Did you have a fight with Richard?"Maria gripped her phone tightly, her voice weak. "No, I'm just tired. I don't want to stay with him anymore."In the past seven years, Maria had always tried to sound happy. She never told her brother about her troubles. Maybe it was because she wanted to prove that she was doing well. No matter how coldly Richard treated her or how exhausting it was to raise such a rebellious son, Maria had never once complained to Willow.No wonder her brother was surprised.Perhaps it was the bond between siblings, but Willow went quiet and didn't ask anything else. In the end, he just said, "Alright. When are you coming back? I'll pick you and your son up myself."Maria paused. "Jonny is staying with Richard. I'm not taking him."Willow gasped. "You're okay with letting him go? Don't worry, Mari. If you really want a divorce, I'll help you fight for custody.""No, it's fine. Once I take

Maria watched Richard in silence, somewhat pale. Standing beside him was his legal wife. How was he supposed to introduce her in front of the woman he truly loved? If she were in his place, she would be stuck as well.Richard met her eyes. "This is Eleanor Cooper. We've known each other for a long time. She's…" he said quietly, pausing before continuing, "…a friend."Maybe it was Maria's imagination, but when Richard said the word friend, it sounded unusually stiff. She trembled, but she kept her voice steady. "A long time? I see, so you were childhood friends."Eleanor smiled. "No, we met when we were twenty. Back then…" She covered her mouth and giggled softly. "Back then, Richard's haircut was so funny. It was a modern take on a traditional style. Heads turned the moment he got on campus."Richard shook his head helplessly. "Are you bringing that up again?""So what if I do? I still have pictures from back then. Don't make me angry, or I'll show them to your wife," Eleanor

Maria sank into the soft bed. Before she could push Richard away, he had her in his arms.His embrace exuded a woody cologne scent. It was her favorite. He had been wearing that scent for seven years after she made an offhand comment about it.Two days ago, she wouldn't have believed her marriage was a sham, or that he didn't love her. But now…"Relax," Richard murmured, holding her hands tight. Their palms met as he planted a trail of kisses along her neck. Only when his warm hands heated her back did Maria shiver, snap back to herself, and shove him away hard. She sat up, enduring the ache in her chest. "I don't feel well. I don't want to do this."She got up and left the room, slamming the door behind her.Richard frowned and stared at the closed door, lost in thought.-Maria went into the next room. Jonathan called after her from the living room, but she ignored him. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone and scrolled to her latest social post. The marriage

Eleanor held her chest, her frail body looking like it might collapse at any second.Richard immediately held her up, his face darkening as he saw her lips drain of color. "Graham, have the driver get the car ready!" "No, I don't need the hospital." Eleanor's voice shook with pain, her gaze lifting toward the second floor. From the corner upstairs, she could see a sliver of fabric peeking out. She curled her lips into the faintest smile. "You'd better go check on Maria."Richard frowned, hesitating.Jonathan jumped in quickly. "Mom's fine. She just throws up a lot lately. She's like that since forever. Eleanor, Dad and I will take you to the hospital!"Remembering that Maria's doctor had said it was only minor, Richard nodded. "I'll take you first."The words of father and son drifted clearly upstairs. The nausea in Maria's stomach surged harder. This time, she didn't head back into the bathroom and vomited. Watching the car roll away, the ache in her chest outweighed the physic

Maria's breathing grew heavier as her hands trembled.Right at that moment, Richard instinctively pulled his phone away, as if he was afraid she would see the screen. "Mari…""You should answer your call first," Maria said, not wanting to look at him anymore.Richard frowned, turning away to take the call. On the other end, the designer's voice came through. "Mr. Shaw, I've sent the initial wedding dress styles to your email. Let me know if you want any changes."Richard replied quietly, "I'll get back to you. Please don't call me directly next time. I want to surprise my wife."When he hung up and turned around, Maria was already gone. Catelyn stopped Richard and wouldn't let him leave. "Did Eleanor stay in the hospital last night? Hurry and come with me to buy something for her. If it wasn't for her saving your grandma, she wouldn't have this heart problem!"Richard looked around for Maria, but she was nowhere to be found, so he had no choice but to go with Catelyn.From a g