All Chapters of His regret; Too late to love me now ex-husband: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

165 Chapters

Chapter twenty one.

Layla's POV.I woke up earlier than I meant to, the room was still dark, and the city outside was only just beginning to stir as I looked out the window. For a few seconds, I lay there, hoping sleep would return, but my mind refused to rest.Every thought from the night before came rushing back.There was no point trying to sleep again. I could already feel the restlessness building under my skin. So I got up, pulling the curtains aside. The skyline of New York glowed faintly in the distance.“All right,” I muttered to myself. “If you can’t sleep, at least look like you’ve got it together.”The conference was at nine. That gave me more than enough time to shower, get dressed, and focus on work.. or at least pretend to. I’d packed mostly formal wears for this trip as it should since it's a business trip, but this morning, I found myself pausing longer than usual, debating between outfits like I hadn’t done in years.I wanted something that even though it feels professional… it could a

Chapter twenty two.

Layla's POV.Liam stood beside me, hands in his pockets, neither of us said a word, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable, it was rather just there; peaceful and quiet I'll say. I focused on the reflection in the mirrored walls instead: him beside me, tall, composed, the faintest smile playing on his lips as though he was lost in thought. His presence filled the small space effortlessly, and it made me suddenly, unreasonably aware of my own heartbeat.Once we were outside, a sleek black car was parked at the curb, it looked exactly like the kind of ride you'd squander a lot of thousands to acquire, I couldn't help but wonder who it belonged to. Liam turned slightly as though he could hear my thoughts, gesturing toward it. “There’s our ride.”I blinked. “Our ride?”He nodded. “I made the purchase the day we arrived New York but it was delivered last night, I figured we’d need something decent to get around. Taxis are unreliable, and I didn’t want to deal with delays.”I raised an eyeb

Chapter twenty three.

Layla's POV.Liam and I walked side by side towards the building.“Layla?”I suddenly heard an oddly familiar voice call out to me and I froze on my track; that tone that once used to make my heart skip for all the wrong reasons. My fingers tightened around my purse before I even turned.He was standing only a few feet away. Donald.And beside him, the same young woman that he'd come home with on our anniversary night.For a second, it felt like all the air had left the street. The noise of cars driving in, and people conversing around us dulled until I could hear only the blood rushing in my ears.He smiled as if he’d stumbled upon an amusing secret. “Well,” he said slowly, “look who finally decided to show her face, I thought you had died of hunger or something since you threw away the only chance to feed that I offered you.”His companion laughed lightly, looping her arm through his. The sound of it slid beneath my skin like a blade.Liam shifted subtly, stepping half a pace closer

Chapter twenty four.

Layla's POV.By noon, the main presentations had ended and the hall had loosened into a little bit of noise.Everyone moved around now, exchanging cards and setting up private meetings; it was time for the main purpose of the event; smaller companies looking to close deals with potential companies, while bigger companies took their time to scout for the best promising companies to invest in.Waiters passed with glasses of champagne. I’d almost begun to relax.Liam was across the room speaking with an older woman in a green suit, deep in conversation about logistics. Every now and then he glanced toward me as if checking to make sure I was okay, and each time he did I felt steadier.I was standing near a display table, running through the details of a potential partnership with a man in a gray blazer. He introduced himself as Mr. Calder... American branch director for a textile chain expanding into Europe; an absolute great deal to bag. “It’s rare to meet someone who talks about proj

Chapter twenty five.

Layla's POV.The drive back to the hotel felt like forever.I sat motionless in the passenger seat, my hands clasped so tightly on my lap that my nails left half-moon marks on my palms.Neither of us spoke, and in that quiet, everything from the conference came flooding back. The crowd turning to look, the sting of Donald’s voice saying those horrible things, the look on Liam’s face as he’d tried to restrain himself from getting physical with Donald. I’d thought once he was dragged out that I’d feel relief. Instead, there was just… emptiness.And shame.Not for what he’d said. For ever letting him close enough to have the power to say it.I kept staring out the window, watching the lights smear against the glass. My reflection stared back at me, a woman trying too hard to keep her composure.I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to stop the tremor in my jaw. It didn’t work. Memories flooded in fast and merciless: the night he threw me out, the sound of him and his mistress's

Chapter twenty six.

Layla's POV.When the silence between us finally softened slightly, and I'd gotten a little hold on my myself, I stood and brushed the back of my hand across my cheeks. “I should shower,” I said quietly. “I’ll go back to my room.”Liam looked up from where he was sitting, one arm resting on the back of the couch. “You sure that’s a good idea?”“I’m fine,” I said, already reaching for my bag.He frowned. “You said that three times tonight, and it’s been a lie every time.”I managed a weak smile. “I just need to wash everything off," “I get that,” he said. “But you’re still shaking.” He stood, closing the space between us just a little. “Stay here, use my shower.”“I can’t do that.”“Why not?”“Because..” I paused, unable to come up with a reason that didn’t sound foolish. “It’s your space.”“And you’re my friend at least I would like to think that,” he said simply. “You don’t need permission to take a shower.”“I’ll be fine,” I tried again, though my voice lacked conviction.He shook

Chapter twenty seven.

Layla's POV.It all happened fast.Whatever came over me, I couldn't quite name, my body was on fire and Liam seemed to be the only quench I needed.I didn't pull away, heck that was the last thing on my mind, I wanted him, and I wanted him badly."Layla, are you sure..."I didn't let him complete his sentence as I quickly cut him off with a crash of my lips against his, the regrets could come later, right now, I just needed to satisfy my body."Touch me, Liam, please." I couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth, it was as though my body was in total control of me and I didn't hate it either.My thoughts had blurred, I wasn't thinking about Donald and his embarrassment today, neither did I think about the hell I went through in that marriage... All I could think about was Liam, and his large hands roaming my body.He seemed to let go of himself as well.He soon found his way under my shirt and headed up towards my breasts. He started to bite harder onto my neck as I felt his

Chapter twenty eight.

Layla s POV. The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the smell of something edible; and then the sound of someone humming under their breath. For a heartbeat, I didn’t remember where I was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar. Then the memories began to arrange themselves, one after another, until I felt the weight of all of them settle in my chest. My frustrated day at the conference, crying in Liam's arms, and then... Oh well, didn't you just allow your body win you over again Layla? I sat up slowly, pushing a hand through my hair, my gaze immediately landed on Liam standing a few feet away, balancing a tray carefully in both hands. When he saw I was awake, he grinned. “Perfect timing,” he said. “I was about to wake you.” “What… what’s all this?” My voice was rough from sleep. “Breakfast,” he said easily. “I called downstairs while you were still sleeping. Figured I’d make up for last night by doing something halfway decent in the morning.” I blinked, speechle

Chapter twenty nine.

Layla's POV.I tried not to let the tears fall as I walked back to my room... the key card trembled slightly in my fingers before the light blinked green. The door opened, and I stepped into stillness.I let the door shut behind me and stood for a long time in the middle of the floor, not sure what to do next. My body felt drained, my mind too loud.Finally, I sat on the edge of the bed and buried my face in my hands.I could still see the look on his face when I told him it was a mistake. The disbelief, the hurt, the quiet anger that came from someone who had only ever meant well.And I’d done that.I’d been the one to wound him.I told myself I was protecting him, protecting both of us. That was supposed to make it easier. It didn’t.The silence in the room pressed harder with every passing minute, the quietness was too ordinary for how much chaos I felt inside.I stood again, pacing to the window and pulling the curtain aside, watching the part of the city facing me with blurred vi

Chapter thirty.

Layla's POV.When I opened my eyes, I didn't get the stand up just yet. I had no energy left in me.I laid still, staring at the ceiling for a long while before moving. The memories of last night hovered right above me, close enough to touch. The way Liam had looked at me when he left the room... that hurt he tried so hard to hide... it burned behind my eyes.I’d hurt him. I knew that.But it was supposed to be for our own good.I kept telling myself that as I dressed, pulling on a pale cream suit and tying my hair into a low bun, I had no strength to do too much.Today, we were meeting a company that had been pushing hard for an investment deal... They had been sending requests since we arrived New York and today, we were finally giving them a chance.I stepped out into the hallway, only to freeze when Liam’s door opened at the same time. He looked effortlessly handsome, is there even a time he doesn't look good?For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.“Good morning,” I said, trying t

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