All Chapters of Too Late To Apologize, Mr. CEO: Chapter 151 - Chapter 160

I opened my front door to the rain splattering down on Bernard’s head. He was standing there, water dripping down his face, holding a bunch of sunflowers in his hand. There was something indefinably defeated about him. The Bernard I knew would be carrying an umbrella, or at least singing in the rain. Now he was standing there flatfooted, waiting for me to ask him in.It didn’t seem to make a difference to him. Rain or sun would be met with the same apathetic blankness.“Bernard, come in! Jeez, it’s good to see you.” I hugged him. “Oh God, you’re soaked! Let me get you a towel. It’s turning cold, too.” He was dripping on the floor. Something else Bernard usually cared about. My heart twisted, and I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the kitchen. “Here, sit down,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”I dashed off and came back with a big fluffy towel and one of Derek’s shirts I’d found in my stuff when I moved. Bernard was still standing there. Still holding the flowers. What was wrong

Still sobbing, I ran for my cottage, Victor yelling behind me. I made it through my front door just seconds ahead of him, slamming it behind me and locking it. The image of Claire and Victor still hung in front of my eyes, like it was burned into my retinas. My tears didn’t blur it at all.“Savannah, open the damned door!” Victor’s fist slammed against the heavy oak. “Don’t do this! It’s not what you think!” “Go to hell!” I screamed. I pulled down my largest suitcase and started throwing clothes into it, just shoving in the first things that came to hand. I didn’t care if they got wrinkled. I just wanted to get out as soon as I could.Leave my sister and my boyfriend to their romantic bliss. How could Claire do this to me? After everything we’d been through! I’d taken a kick meant for her, and it had cost me my son, my future, and my mental health. I’d bled out onto a cold concrete floor to keep her safe, and this was how she repaid me? By taking the only man I’d ever truly loved

“Mom! Mom, guess what?!” Emma raced across the parking lot, her backpack bouncing and her cheeks pink with excitement. Ethan walked a few steps behind her, his hands buried deep in his jacket pocket. He was growing like a weed. I’d have to buy him new clothes soon. He was still a reserved and introverted little boy, but there was a new confidence in the way he moved that warmed my heart.“Slow down, sweetie.” I laughed, crouching down to hug my daughter before catching Ethan’s eye and giving him a big smile. “How were rehearsals?”“Amazing!” She did a little dance of joy, twirling in the parking lot. “And Isabella was there too! She got her costume today,” she signed.“That’s wonderful!” I said. Ethan caught up with us and I touched his shoulder. “And how’s our budding prop master? I heard they loved your Ghost of Christmas Future so much they’re having you design all the ghosts’ costumes.”Ethan ducked his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah. I’m helping p

“Are you going to arrest me?” I asked, my heart pounding. “Should I arrest you?” Detective Lowinsky said. His voice was cool and dry.He’d always been very sympathetic before, but back then I was the victim.Not the perpetrator. I gulped and looked at him anxiously.He relented. “No, I’m not going to arrest you. Not right now, anyway. However, I would like you to follow me to headquarters so I can get your statement.” He slapped the roof of my car and addressed my watcher, “Move ‘em out, Nelson.”“Sir yessir,” the patrolman replied. “Smartass,” Lowinsky muttered.I caravaned down to the station, sandwiched between police cars.My palms were sweaty on the steering wheel, and I wondered how the children were doing. Where was Derek bringing them? Could Savannah babysit? Did she have plans? She never had plans anymore. I was getting really worried about her. Having a job was helping, but she seemed to be withdrawing further and further into herself…I took a deep breath and forcibly s

“Out of my way, squirt.” Rory planted his hand between my shoulder blades and shoved. I would have fallen flat on my face if it wasn’t for my ninja training. If I was wearing my costume I’d probably have fallen anyway. Those long skirts were a pain to manage. I don’t know how old-timey people did it. I mean, the outfits were nice to look at, but terrible if you were trying to do anything. Like exacting revenge on butthead ninth-graders. I looked around to see if anyone had witnessed my humiliation. Ethan was watching me, his face set into a cold, determined expression. Ethan is my friend. I heard his dad was a mob boss who’s in prison now. I don’t know if that’s true or not. Looking at Ethan, I’d buy it. He has a much heavier energy than most of the other kids at school. You can tell he’s seen some stuff. “Isabella, we’re going over the blocking for the Cratchit scenes. Could you come here please?” Nora said. I sauntered over, all fake-casual, like I didn’t almost get pushed to