All Chapters of Too Late for You: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Five years passed since I last heard from him, but out of the blue, my ex-boyfriend's voice crackled through the phone, demanding we get hitched in five days. The catch? My hubby was the top dog of the Mafia world, and we had two little rascals calling me mom."Villa d'Oro, five days. We're tying the knot," Bruce Laurent's voice was as commanding as ever, a blast from the past I could not shake.Clutching the phone, I gazed out the villa's massive windows into the night, my mind racing. "Bruce, we ended things.""Cut the kid stuff," he cut me off, a hint of a chuckle in his voice. "Eleanor, isn't this why you're back?"I inhaled sharply. "We called off our engagement ages ago.""Called off?" Bruce's laugh was light, but his words were heavy. "I don't remember agreeing to that. You stormed off, and now you're back. Time to keep our promise."He shifted gears, his voice hardening. "And there's the matter of Bella. She's been my rock for five years. I expect you to be gracious. With

Chapter 2

"You never change, do you?" Bruce tried to caress my face.I blocked him with my knee and backed up to the door. "Out, now.""Trying to make me chase you again?" Bruce's low chuckle filled the air. "Eleanor, you're still the master of the game. Just like old times, dodging me, making me run after you."I swung the door open, giving him an icy stare. "Leave. Now."Bruce sauntered to the doorway, pausing on the threshold. "Tomorrow, someone will drop off the wedding dress. Bella's choice: a flawless size 2 in the satin you adore."He stopped, his eyes scanning me. "Though you might need to take it in a bit. You've changed a lot in these five years."I shut my eyes tight.Even with the door between us, I could picture him, always taking Bella's side."Bruce!" I cut him off, dismissing his endless chatter, "Forget it, we're not walking down that aisle.""I get it, you're upset," he said, his voice a mix of patience and persistence, "but Eleanor, we're destined. It was true then, a

Chapter 3

My old sports car coughed and sputtered in the driveway before it gave up the ghost.A puff of white smoke billowed from under the hood, drawing curious glances from people walking by.I tried to fire it up again, but all it gave me were a few feeble clicks.After a decade, it looked like my ride finally needed some repair work.I hailed an Uber and headed for "Atelier Valeriano" to check out their latest designs.Stepping out of the Uber, there was Bruce, leaning on a shiny Aston Martin, his shades catching the glare of the afternoon sun.He watched me get out, a smirk playing on his lips as he removed his sunglasses."Looks like the Edward empire's seen better days," he said, sauntering over, "Can't even keep a decent car running?""It's just a breakdown," I replied, keeping my cool."A breakdown?" He laughed lightly."Eleanor, no need to put on airs. I've done my homework, Edward Mechanics' stock has tanked, and all those factories your dad owned are cutting jobs."He rea

Chapter 4

Bruce practically leaped to grab my phone, his eyes glued to the two boys on the screen.Leo and Luca just stared at that stranger, their little faces a mix of surprise and confusion.They looked a bit like me, but their eyes were a spitting image of their dad's, a deep ocean blue."Mommy, who's this guy?" Leo's voice was soft and childlike as he waved at the screen."He seems really mad." Luca's little forehead creased with worry, picking up on the storm brewing on Bruce's face.Bruce's hands shook, and his face went ghostly white. "No way! This can't be happening."His voice rose to a high pitch, turning heads all around.People on the street paused, their curiosity piqued as they stared at our little drama."Bruce, hand over my phone," I demanded, my voice frozen as ice."No!" He exploded, hoisting the phone above his head, "These kids, they-"He choked on his words, unable to finish.In a fit of rage, he hurled the phone to the ground.The screen shattered with a sharp

Chapter 5

Back at the villa, I found Mark by the door, holding a gift box that screamed luxury.It was wrapped with the finest ribbons, the golden emblem of "Atelier Valeriano" stamped on top.Bruce must have thought he could win me over with that pricey present, that it would make me forget everything and agree to his ludicrous offer to be his lover."Take it away," I said, my voice ice.Mark's face was a storm of anger as he rattled off his words like rapid gunfire."Ms. Edward, Mr. Laurent is still willing to have you as his lover. Do you really need to keep up this pride?"I suggest you take the gift, don't make him angry. Or you can kiss any kindness from him goodbye!"You know the Laurent family's reach. Be smart and don't try to fight them head-on!""Get out!" I snapped, beyond patience, and sent him packing.Without a flicker of emotion, I tossed the whole gift box down the garbage chute.The clatter of metal echoed in the hollow space, mirroring the shattering of any last sent

Chapter 6

On the wedding day, I arrived at Villa d'Oro right on schedule.That sprawling estate, with its 500 acres of northern suburbia and its 18th-century classical architecture, was once the backdrop of my dreams.Five years back, I daydreamed of a joyous wedding there with Bruce.That dream came true all too easily.Three years ago, my husband gifted me Villa d'Oro for our anniversary.I turned it into a charity, offering a free wedding each month to a couple in love but strapped for cash.With limited slots, most had to be quick to book their shot.Bruce would not have stood a chance at a slot. He only got his wedding there by greasing the palm of the foundation's manager.Too bad that the manager was then cooling his heels in the cell downstairs, awaiting his fate.No good ever came to those who played dirty.For the big day, I picked out a stunning haute couture gown.It was deep blue silk, stitched with silver stars, each bead meticulously hand-sewn.My hair was swept up int

Chapter 7

"Bella! Zip it!" Bruce charged over, bellowing.His face was beet red, his usual poise gone."Do you have any idea what the Millers mean? You idiot!" He jabbed a finger at Bella, his voice shaking. "You've nearly wrecked the Laurents!"Bella stumbled back, her eyes brimming with hurt and bewilderment."Bruce, I just, I didn't want her at our wedding, that's all.""Didn't want her?" Bruce looked baffled. "I personally invited Eleanor. Why wouldn't you want her there?"He took a deep breath, trying to find his calm, then turned to me.His look was a tangled mess of awe, resentment, and a flicker of desperate hope."Eleanor, you look amazing today," he said, his voice turning soft. "In that dress, you're just as stunning as the first time I saw you at that charity dinner five years ago."He stepped closer, his eyes shining with adoration."You're here for me, aren't you? You still love me, right?"You found out I'm getting married and now you're jealous, you wish you were in he

Chapter 8

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the commanding voice.A tall man with an undeniable presence walked in, sunlight glinting off him as if he were kissed by the sun itself.He was dressed in a sleek, hand-tailored black suit that was simple yet screamed sophistication in every stitch.His entrance alone was enough to make everyone feel a weight in the air, a sense of awe and fear."This is my husband, Kingsley Miller," I said, my voice steady as I introduced him to the crowd.A collective gasp swept through the room from those who knew of him.Kingsley Miller, the Don of the most formidable Mafia family; A name that sent shivers down the spine of the criminal world."Wow! That's Kingsley Miller!""The big boss of the Mafia, a real powerhouse.""The legendary leader of the Miller family."Bruce's eyes bulged, hardly believing the murmurs around him. "No way! This can't be happening!"Kingsley came to my side and wrapped his arms around me tenderly."Sorry for being l

Chapter 9

"What's she talking about?" one girl asked, her curiosity piqued."I paid off a street punk to ram Bruce's car during the race," Bella said with an icy laugh."That fire wasn't an accident. I planned the whole thing.""Holy smokes, Bella, you're the reason your brother's crippled?" another girl gasped in disbelief."To reel in Bruce? Sacrificing my no-good brother was nothing." Bella's grin was wicked. "Marco was a loser, always lazing around. Now that he's disabled, he's my ace in the hole.""You're a genius!" her friends gushed."Obviously!" Bella puffed up with pride. "Now I've got this dumb cash machine wrapped around my finger with guilt. The guiltier he feels, the more he pays out."And the best part," Bella gloated, "he still thinks I'm this innocent, sweet victim. A little cry from me, and he's putty in my hands, ready to say 'yes' to anything."The video ended, and silence engulfed the mansion.Everyone stared at the screen, stunned, then turned to Bella.Bruce was s

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP