His Regret came too late

Chapter 1 — Everything Broke That Night Elena Hart stood in front of the mirror, her trembling fingers smoothing down the silver dress she had spent weeks choosing. Elena had spent the entire week believing this night would finally change everything. Seven years. For seven long years, Elena loved Adrian Cole without ever hearing him say he loved her back Seven years of waiting for him to finally look at her the way she looked at him. And tonight… she truly believed he would. The ballroom of the Cole Grand Hotel glittered with wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above hundreds of important guests while soft music filled the air. Elena’s heart pounded as she stepped inside. People smiled at her politely, but her eyes searched for only one man. Adrian. He stood near the center of the room in a black suit that made him look cold, powerful, and untouchable. The billionaire CEO of Cole Enterprises barely showed emotion, yet Elena had spent years memorizing every small change in his expression. The tightening of his jaw when angry. The faint softness in his eyes when he looked at her. Or maybe she had imagined that part. Tonight was Adrian’s birthday celebration, but Elena secretly hoped it would also become the night he finally chose her. After all, he was the one who invited her personally. “Wait for me tonight,” he had told her earlier. Those words had kept her awake for days. Elena slowly walked toward him, nervous excitement twisting in her stomach. But before she could reach him, the crowd suddenly parted. A beautiful woman in a red dress stepped beside Adrian and wrapped her arm around his. The entire ballroom went silent. Then Adrian spoke calmly into the microphone. “I’d like everyone to meet my fiancée, Sophia Laurent.” Elena froze. Her world shattered in a single second. The champagne glass slipped from her fingers and crashed against the marble floor. The sound echoed painfully through the silent ballroom. Adrian turned his head sharply. For the first time that night, their eyes met. Elena stared at him in disbelief, her face turning pale. Fiancée? Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Sophia smiled sweetly beside him while guests immediately began congratulating the happy couple. But Elena heard nothing. Absolutely nothing. Because at that moment, seven years of love died inside her heart. Adrian took one step toward her. “Elena—” But she backed away instantly. Tears burned her eyes as humiliation crushed her chest. How stupid had she been? She had loved him while he prepared to marry someone else. She had waited for him while he belonged to another woman all along. “I understand now,” Elena whispered painfully. Adrian frowned. “What are you talking about?” A broken laugh escaped her lips. “I was never the one you would choose.” For the first time, Adrian’s calm expression cracked slightly. “Elena, listen to me—” “No.” Her voice shook. “I’m tired, Adrian.” The softness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by heartbreak he had never seen before. And for some strange reason… His chest suddenly tightened. As if he was about to lose something important. But Adrian ignored the feeling. Because he still didn’t understand one terrifying truth— The woman walking away from him tonight would become the greatest regret of his life.