Too Late To love her💔💘

CHAPTER THREE

It was raining the day everything got worse.

The kind of rain that didn’t fall gently—but poured like the sky was angry at the world. Students rushed through the hallways, trying to escape it, laughing as they shook water from their clothes.

I stayed back.

Like always.

By the time school ended, the building was almost empty. I stepped outside slowly, holding my worn-out umbrella, the cold air brushing against my skin.

That’s when I saw him.

Ethan.

Standing under the shelter, frustrated, running his hand through his already damp hair.

“Damn it,” he muttered. “I told Jake to wait.”

His eyes scanned the area, clearly irritated.

He looked… stranded.

For a moment, I just stood there.

My heart started racing again.

This was my chance.

Not to talk.

Not to confess.

Just… to help.

Slowly, I walked toward him, each step feeling heavier than the last. My fingers tightened around the umbrella as I stopped a short distance away.

“H-here…” I said softly, my voice almost lost in the rain.

He looked at me.

Actually looked at me.

For the first time.

My chest tightened.

I held out the umbrella toward him, my hands slightly shaking.

“You can use it,” I added, barely above a whisper.

There was a pause.

For a second, I thought—maybe this time would be different.

Maybe he’d smile.

Maybe he’d say thank you.

Maybe…

But then his expression changed.

Annoyance.

“Are you serious?” he said.

The words hit harder than the rain.

“I don’t need your help.”

My hand froze in the air.

“I—I just thought—”

“Yeah, that’s your problem,” he cut in coldly. “You think too much.”

My throat tightened.

People passing by slowed down, watching.

“I’m not some charity case,” he added, his voice louder now. “Keep your pity.”

Pity.

That wasn’t what it was.

But I couldn’t explain.

I couldn’t speak at all.

My arm slowly dropped, the umbrella slipping slightly in my grip.

“I wasn’t—” I tried again.

“Just stop,” he said, already turning away. “It’s annoying.”

Annoying.

That word stayed.

It stayed longer than it should have.

Longer than I could handle.

I nodded, even though he wasn’t looking anymore.

“Okay,” I whispered.

But the rain didn’t hide the tears this time.

And still…

Still, I left the umbrella on the bench beside him before walking away into the storm.

Because loving him meant giving—

Even when he gave nothing back.

And maybe…

Maybe that was my biggest mistake.