Regret is only the beginning Novels & Stories

Chapter Six Too Late Abe Regret was a funny thing. People always talked about it like it arrived all at once. Like a lightning strike. Like some dramatic realization that changed everything overnight. In reality? Regret came in pieces. Tiny little reminders scattered throughout your day. A song. A scent. A restaurant. A laugh that sounded almost like hers. And every single one felt like a knife. I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office. The city stretched endlessly below.

I smiled back, thankful, and then I walked away. I did not look back or hold on. I was like a quiet breeze, gone from this world.

“Tried to kill my child. There’s no coming back from that.” “I know.” Her voice is small. “I just… I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret because of me.” Something breaks loose in my chest. “Regret?” I stare at her. “The only thing I regret is not seeing this coming sooner.” “That’s not what I meant” “I know what you meant.” I step back, running a hand through my hair. “You think I’m going to lose myself over this. That I’ll become something worse.” She doesn’t deny it.

] With a calm mind, I leaned back in my large executive chair, watching the bustling traffic outside the window. The Madiles was still there—the sun, the beaches, the crystal-clear waters. Everything remained unchanged. However, it was no longer a definite communal party for everyone. Instead, it was a grand prize belonging only to the winners. Limitless kindness only bred sophisticated parasites and endless greed. Only strict and fair rules could select and reward those who chose to stand with the company through thick and thin. This was the most important lesson this ordeal had taught me.

“You are going to regret this!” I smiled wider. The only people who were going to be doing any regretting were the two of them. This was just the beginning.

He would never beg for his life. I sighed. “Matt, please just go away. I don’t have time to deal with all this now. I don’t want to have lunch with you, and there’s nothing to talk about or make right between us. I’m beginning to get irritated by all this.” “Meadow, there’s a lot to talk about between us, and you know it. I know I messed up seven years ago. There hasn’t been a day when I haven’t thought about you. Please, I just need another chance to make it up to you. I just want us to start afresh,” he said, walking closer to me.

But it wouldn’t have been funny. “Understand what?” He stepped closer. Not enough to invade her space. Just enough that his next words felt personal. “What regret looks like.” The air shifted. Lena felt it immediately. That dangerous pull she had spent months resisting. Because the regret in his voice sounded human. And that made him harder to dismiss. She steadied herself. “You think saying this changes anything?” “No.” He answered too quickly for it to be rehearsed. “I know it doesn’t.” A beat.

I turned on my heel, my voice trembling as I finally spoke. “You both will regret this.” I didn’t even know how. I didn’t know what I could do to them, how I could make them feel even a fraction of the pain I felt. But I meant it. I meant every word. Theresa’s mocking laughter filled the room, stopping me in my tracks. “Regret? How?” she sneered. “What exactly are you capable of?” I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. “You have nothing, Alexandria. Everything belongs to Asher now.”

He looked like he was on the verge of collapse. He seemed excited to see me. "Rena, I was wrong. I'm sorry. Can you please come home with me?" "Austin, I'm sure you know I'm here to talk about the divorce, not listen to your apology." His face fell. "Serena, why must you be so aggressive with me? Yes, I was wrong. I made a mistake every man would make in his life. But I know that I was wrong now, and I've decided that I'll change for the better.

"Jasper, Casey, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have hurt Lisa. I didn't mean to, I just felt so insecure. I grew up without parents and cared about you two so much. I couldn't control myself…" She continued, "I'm willing to do anything if you'll just forgive me. You've already lost her. I'm your only sister now." Tears streamed down her face. Her voice was sweet and delicate as always. But this time, she wasn't greeted with comfort. Instead, it was a cold, merciless rejection. "Janice, you're only begging now because you're worried you'll lose everything. You're just afraid we won't protect you anymore." "You could have lived a life of luxury, but you laid your hands on Lisa."