Too Late
757 Words
The room fell deathly silent.
Even the board members looked stunned.
Vanessa stared at Ethan as though she had misheard him.
"W-What did you just say?"
Ethan didn't answer her.
His eyes never left mine.
"I want you back."
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Yesterday.
Yesterday, I had begged him with my eyes to tell me it was all a misunderstanding.
Yesterday, he had stood at the altar holding another woman's hand.
Yesterday, he had looked me in the face and said he loved Vanessa.
And now...
Now he wanted me back?
I slowly rose from my chair.
"You've got some nerve."
"Zara, listen to me."
"No, Ethan. You've done enough talking."
He took another step toward me.
"I was angry."
I laughed.
"You cheated because you were angry?"
"No."
"I was confused."
"You slept with my cousin because you were confused?"
His lips parted, but no words came out.
"I thought Vanessa was what I wanted."
"And?"
He swallowed hard.
"The moment I saw you standing beside my father..."
His voice faltered.
"I realized I was wrong."
Vanessa shot to her feet.
"Ethan!"
He ignored her.
"I can't lose you."
My chest tightened—not because I believed him, but because I finally understood something.
He didn't love me.
He couldn't stand the thought of someone else having me.
"You don't love me," I said quietly.
"I do."
"You love winning."
His expression stiffened.
"When I belonged to you, I wasn't worth fighting for."
I shook my head.
"But the moment another man showed interest..."
I smiled sadly.
"...you suddenly remembered my value."
His silence confirmed everything.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
"Tell her she's wrong."
He pulled away without looking at her.
Her face went pale.
"Ethan..."
For the first time, she looked afraid.
Really afraid.
The board members exchanged uneasy glances.
One of them coughed awkwardly.
"This isn't appropriate."
Another nodded.
"This is a corporate meeting."
Damian, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally stood.
His towering presence instantly commanded the room.
"My son's personal life is no longer relevant."
Ethan turned toward him.
"It is relevant if you're trying to marry the woman I love."
Damian's expression remained calm.
"The woman you rejected."
"I made a mistake."
"You made a choice."
The distinction struck everyone in the room.
Damian continued.
"Mistakes happen in seconds."
His voice was low and deliberate.
"You betrayed Miss Bennett for months."
Ethan's face darkened.
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
Damian walked around the table until he was standing beside me.
"You expected her to wait while you decided whether she was enough."
Every word landed like a hammer.
"You expected loyalty from someone you betrayed."
He looked directly into Ethan's eyes.
"That is arrogance, not love."
The room was silent.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
Ethan looked at me again.
"Zara."
His voice was softer this time.
"Please."
One word.
One plea.
The same man who had humiliated me before hundreds of people was now begging.
A week ago, I would have given anything to hear him say my name like that.
Today...
I felt nothing.
"I forgive you."
Hope lit up his face.
Before he could speak, I finished.
"But I don't want you."
His smile disappeared.
"I don't hate you anymore."
I paused.
"I just don't love you anymore."
Those words seemed to drain every ounce of color from his face.
He looked as though someone had punched him.
Vanessa let out a shaky breath, unsure whether to feel relieved or terrified.
I picked up my handbag.
Then I turned to Damian.
"You asked me yesterday what I wanted."
He nodded once.
"I've made my decision."
Every person in the room held their breath.
I met Damian's steady gaze.
"If your offer still stands..."
I took a deep breath.
"...I'll sign the marriage contract."
A stunned silence swept across the conference room.
Damian looked at me for a long moment.
Then, without breaking eye contact, he pressed a button on the conference table.
"Amelia."
His assistant answered immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Blackwood?"
"Bring the contract."
He glanced at me.
"And have Legal prepare the marriage license."
Ethan slammed both hands onto the table.
"No!"
His furious shout echoed through the room.
"You can't marry her!"
Damian's eyes turned icy.
"They're already on their way."
Ethan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Damian's next words hit the room like a bomb.
"I arranged for the registrar to be here this afternoon."
He had never intended to wait twenty-four hours.
He had expected her to come.
- Writer
