Semua Bab Too Late for You: Bab 1 - Bab 9

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

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

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

"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

"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