All Chapters of Love, Left Too Late: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Under the dull streetlight, Gerald Cooper was leaning against the car door, finishing his last cigarette.He stomped it out and checked his phone for the tenth time in five minutes. Out of the ten times, nine were to reply to the nine voice notes from the same woman.The last message he sent was to my best friend, who also happened to be his sister, Elena Cooper. It was to let her know he would send me home safely.He put the phone down and turned to me with a smile. It was obvious that chatting with that other woman had put him in a good mood.It was probably due to that that his voice was a lot more casual and relaxed when he spoke to me. "Nessa, you're a grown woman now. You get how adults handle separation cleanly, right?"He ruffled my hair, the gesture so casual and intimate that it erased the seriousness of this breakup talk between us.He had never taken me, Nyssa Bennett, seriously. Not even five years ago, when I got drunk and we slept together.After I sobered up, he

Chapter 2

I hurriedly looked away, afraid he would see my reddened eyes."Okay, I get it. Thank you for sending me home tonight, Gerald. It's late. I should head up."I started to step away, but he grabbed my wrist.Gerald gently wiped my tears, his face wearing that I-told-you-so look."You're such a crybaby. Won't you fight for the chance to stay with me? Perhaps for Elle's sake, I may play along a little longer," he said lightheartedly.However, I could not believe him anymore.The square outline in the right pocket of his jacket gave him away. It was the protection he kept for his trysts with other women.I took a step back and forced my voice to sound calm. "No thanks, Gerald. Enjoy your night."Then, I walked straight into the apartment complex without looking at him. I walked fast. My breath came out in harsh clouds against the cold night.I thought I would not cry again. When I unlocked my door and glanced down from the balcony, Gerald was still standing where he had been, stari

Chapter 3

"Nyssa, I don't know who you've kept hidden for the past five years, but you can't just marry some random guy because of one piece of trash!"I smiled. "I'm not that delicate, alright? This marriage is something I've thought through carefully. And he's not just some random guy. He's…well, an old family connection. We just haven't seen each other in years."I was not lying. It was not so much an arranged marriage with Scott as it was fulfilling the childhood promise our parents once made for us half-jokingly.If Gerald had not come into the picture halfway, I probably would have become Mrs. Henderson years ago.The worry in Elena's eyes did not fade. She really was concerned about me.I reached over and pinched her cheek. "Alright, don't be upset. You're going to be my bridesmaid.""Bridesmaid?"The private room door swung open. Gerald strolled in carelessly with another new date.Just like he had always claimed, anyone could be his girlfriend. Well, anyone but me.He stopped i

Chapter 4

"Aren't you the one always protecting Nyssa? Why are you so pissy today, as if the entire world has gone against you?"She started to say more, but I cut her off. "Forget it, Elena. It's not important."I ignored Gerald's dark expression and stood to freshen up in the bathroom.In the mirror outside the stalls, I caught sight of Belinda behind me, her gaze brimming with challenge."You must be the one who's been simping at him for five years, right? Do you know how he describes you? He says you're terrifying, like a shadow that follows him everywhere."I had been trying to let go of the past, but hearing something so degrading still stung. I took a deep breath and turned to face her."Is that so? Then I hope you'll last longer by his side than I did."Her smug smile froze and twisted into something ugly. Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and flashed a weird grin."It was only five years. In the end, he still kicked you away like a mutt. Nyssa Bennett, the only one who gets to stay

Chapter 5

I took a deep breath, lifted my foot, and stepped firmly over the shattered bracelet.…In the days that followed, I moved back into the Bennett residence and threw myself into wedding preparations.Three days before the ceremony, I finalized all the details with the hotel. The coordinator told me the roses had been replaced with sunflowers."Mr. Henderson said sunflowers are your favorite. He wants you to have only the best."Warmth swelled in my chest. I sent a message to Scott, who was still abroad.[The sunflowers look beautiful. I love them. Thanks.]At the same time, Gerald's social media had a new update. It was a photo of him vacationing at the beach with Belinda.Golden sunshine and a white sandy beach. It was the seaside trip I had begged him for over five years and never once received, yet Belinda had gotten it without even asking.Two days before the wedding, Scott sent over the full guest list. The extensive yet clear list showed me just how much he valued this da

Chapter 6

On the wedding stage, Scott and I stood side by side, reading our vows.The emcee handed me the microphone and asked if I was willing to marry him when, suddenly, a commotion broke out at the entrance."No, she's not!"The chapel doors burst open with a violent kick. Gerald strode in, taking quick strides straight to the center of the aisle.Dressed head to toe in a custom black suit, he looked more like the groom than Scott himself."Nessa, stop this nonsense. I don't like this kind of joke."His dark eyes locked onto me."This isn't a joke. As you can see, I'm getting married."As my gaze met his, his heart skipped a beat.The flawless makeup and poised expression I showed were a completely new sight to him. I was no longer the young girl he used to brush aside so easily.I was a woman, a stunningly beautiful one.For the first time, a flicker of regret seemed to burn in him.After a long silence, he let out a low laugh."I told you. If you'd ever try to marry someone el

Chapter 7

Scott gestured to the security personnel nearby."Security, please escort Mr. Cooper out.""Nyssa Bennett, you really did it this time!" Gerald shouted.He shrugged off the guards trying to restrain him, face dark with displeasure as he said, "You'd better not regret this."With that parting barb, he turned on his heel and left without another glance.The guests around us only started to come back to themselves then, and murmurs began spreading through the room.Even if I usually did not care about what other people would think, standing there with that scene unfolding felt embarrassing.Scott noticed my discomfort. He slid the ring onto my finger with steady hands, his expression solemn. Then, he patted the back of my hand and said quietly, "Don't worry, I'll handle it."I forced myself to stay calm and treated it like a small, unpleasant interruption. After Gerald left, the rest of the ceremony went smoothly.When the last formalities were done, Scott and I found ourselves a

Chapter 8

Scott explained, "I really do love you. But I know, all these years you've actually…"He paused, his eyes locking onto mine, steady and sincere. "Nessa, I can wait for you. Just…don't make me wait too long, okay?"I looked back at him, emotions tangling inside me.I had never once thought Scott's feelings were real.Back then, I had turned my back on my family and demanded they cancel the engagement because of Gerald. Scott's only reply was a flat, one-word answer: "Fine."I thought he did not like me.I never imagined he had been carrying feelings he did not dare say out loud.My heart ached for him. After a long silence, I answered him in the most solemn tone I could. "Okay."Something lit up in his eyes, like fireworks exploding in the dark.We held each other's gaze for a long moment before he leaned forward and gently, tentatively, wrapped me in an embrace.…The next morning, I was startled to see Elena curled up on the couch, eyes red and swollen from crying."Elle?"

Chapter 9

When Gerald saw me, his expression darkened. "Nessa."He looked nothing like the confident, arrogant man I remembered. At that moment, he just seemed worn out.I sighed, already knowing I would not escape this conversation."What is it?"I stopped on the steps, making no move to go closer. He stood below, looking up at me."You won't even call my name anymore?"A small laugh slipped from me. "What's the point?"Things were over between us. Why should I bother?Back then, he loved it when I called his name affectionately.His eyes filled with pain, his lips moving as though he wanted to speak but could not. After a long internal struggle, he finally gave in."Nessa… If I apologized, could we start over? I'll treat you right this time, alright?"I stared at him in shock. "Sir, I'm married."I lifted my hand, letting the ring on my finger catch the light. "You want to be the side piece?""Why not?"His voice was low and steady, each word deliberate. "As long as you're willin

Chapter 10

I nudged Scott's arm. "Did you hear all of that?""Yeah.""Then, are you upset? I've explained so much to him."He gave me a gentle smile. "No. It's good that you've cleared things up with him. I know you'd never cross the line."Unlike Gerald, who always carried a trace of aggression, Scott was like sunlight in spring, forever warm and steady.The warmth rose in me again, and I whispered, "Thanks, dear.""What?" His body stiffened instantly.I turned my head away, embarrassed to meet his eyes."I said, thanks, dear."He was not hearing things, nor was he dreaming."Say it again?" he asked."Oh, you're impossible. Dear, dear, dear… Satisfied now?"His face flushed scarlet, and for a long moment, he could not say another word.Seeing my teasing look, he suddenly quickened his steps, leaving me behind as he strode into the house.He was even walking out of step.…For the next six months, I carefully avoided Gerald.At gatherings with friends in our circle, it was always

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