Too Late For Regret, My Love

Too Late For Regret, My Love

Xiao Yan

5.0
Comment(s)
3.7K
View
10
Chapters

My fiancé Brett and I were building a design empire. When he broke his leg, he hired a temporary housekeeper, Glenda, while I was away on business. I thought she was there to help; I didn't realize she was there to replace me. She systematically took over my home, turning Brett against me piece by piece. The final straw was finding my cat, Apollo, locked in a cage, bruised and starving. When I confronted them, Brett defended her. He called me a monster and told me to get rid of my cat for the sake of the baby I was secretly carrying. The shock of his betrayal was so profound that I miscarried that night. He never knew. He just screamed that I was a cold, calculating bitch and that Glenda was a "good woman" who truly loved him. So I left. I took my cat, liquidated my half of our company, and disappeared. Three years later, I walked into an industry gala and saw him across the room-a broken man. He looked at me with desperate regret, but I just smiled. My revenge wouldn't be loud; it would be my success.

Too Late For Regret, My Love Chapter 1

My fiancé Brett and I were building a design empire. When he broke his leg, he hired a temporary housekeeper, Glenda, while I was away on business. I thought she was there to help; I didn't realize she was there to replace me.

She systematically took over my home, turning Brett against me piece by piece. The final straw was finding my cat, Apollo, locked in a cage, bruised and starving.

When I confronted them, Brett defended her. He called me a monster and told me to get rid of my cat for the sake of the baby I was secretly carrying.

The shock of his betrayal was so profound that I miscarried that night.

He never knew. He just screamed that I was a cold, calculating bitch and that Glenda was a "good woman" who truly loved him.

So I left. I took my cat, liquidated my half of our company, and disappeared. Three years later, I walked into an industry gala and saw him across the room-a broken man. He looked at me with desperate regret, but I just smiled. My revenge wouldn't be loud; it would be my success.

Chapter 1

I knew the moment Glenda Woods stepped through our front door, she was trouble. What I didn't know then was that she wouldn't just break my heart; she' d dismantle my entire life, piece by agonizing piece. But back then, I was too busy building an empire to see the quiet, insidious rot beginning at home.

It all started with Brett' s leg. A basketball game, a clumsy fall, and suddenly, my fiancé and business partner, the charismatic 'face' of Parker-Hardy Designs, was confined to our meticulously designed home. Our live-in housekeeper, Maria, had been with us for years, practically family. But her sister's sudden illness in Mexico meant Maria had to leave immediately, without warning. It was a chaotic, unexpected exit.

Brett, ever the smooth talker, reassured me. "Don't worry, Alex. I' ve found someone. Maria's cousin, Glenda. She needs the work, and Maria vouched for her. Says she' s a gem."

I was already halfway out the door, my mind consumed by the skyscraper project in Chicago. A critical phase, long hours, no time for domestic drama. "Temporary, right?" I' d asked, my voice tight with a mix of concern for Brett and the usual stress of launching a new design.

"Of course, temporary," Brett had said, blowing me a kiss. "Just until I'm back on my feet."

Two weeks later, the Chicago launch was a resounding success. Exhausted but exhilarated, I booked the first flight home. My phone, usually a constant buzz of work emails, had been filled with Brett's messages. He raved about Glenda.

"She' s amazing, Alex! So attentive. The food she cooks is incredible. You won't believe how much better I feel."

My eyebrow had lifted. Better than Maria's cooking? Maria, who' d perfected his favorite dishes over years? Still, relief washed over me. At least he was being cared for. I pictured someone older, perhaps a bit frumpy, kind and efficient. A motherly type. Someone who would blend into the background, a temporary fixture until life returned to normal.

The moment my car pulled into the driveway, Apollo, my ginger tabby, was at the window, a furry sentinel. He blinked slowly at me, a silent welcome. I missed him fiercely. The house felt warm, a soft glow emanating from the living room. It smelled faintly of something savory simmering.

I pushed open the front door, my suitcases trundling behind me. My heels clicked on the polished hardwood floors. No one was in the living room, but I heard low voices from the kitchen. Brett' s distinctive laugh, a little too loud, then a softer, feminine giggle.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet house.

A woman emerged from the kitchen. She wasn' t what I expected. Not old, not frumpy. She was in her late thirties, with dark, lustrous hair pulled back in a neat bun, soft features, and eyes that were a shade too knowing for someone meant to be temporary help. Her uniform, a simple apron over sensible clothes, somehow managed to highlight her figure rather than conceal it. She carried herself with a quiet confidence that bordered on composure.

"You must be Alexa," she said, her voice surprisingly calm, almost serene. No welcoming smile, no effusive greeting like Maria' s would have been. Just a cool assessment. She didn't offer to help with my bags.

"That's me," I said, a slight tremor of unease starting in my stomach. "And you're Glenda."

"Yes. Welcome home." She didn't sound particularly welcoming.

I offered a polite smile, pushing down the odd feeling. "Thank you. Listen, I brought you something." I reached into my carry-on and pulled out a small, elegantly wrapped box. It was a designer scarf I' d picked up in Chicago, something I often did for Maria or other staff as a small gesture of appreciation. My habit. My way of showing I valued them.

Glenda looked at the box, then back at me, her expression unreadable. "Oh, you shouldn't have."

"It's just a little something to say thank you for looking after Brett while I was away. I always bring back small gifts for anyone who helps out around the house." My words were meant to be gracious, but they felt stilted in the sudden, strange silence.

She shook her head, a soft, almost imperceptible movement. "No, thank you. I'm just doing my job."

I blinked. She was refusing it? Maria would have been thrilled, a flurry of thanks. "It's not payment, Glenda. It's a welcome home gift. A small token."

"I prefer not to accept gifts outside of my agreed-upon wages, Ms. Hardy. It complicates things." Her voice was soft, but there was an inflexible edge to it. A boundary, firmly drawn. But it felt less like professionalism and more like a rejection.

"What's all the fuss about out here?" Brett's voice boomed from the den. He hobbled out, leaning heavily on a crutch, his leg encased in a clumsy cast. His face lit up when he saw me. "Alex! You're back!"

I instinctively stepped forward, my hand reaching out to steady him, a lifetime of caring for him kicking in. But Glenda was faster. She moved with a quick, fluid motion, slipping under his arm before my hand even fully extended. She was supporting him, her body close to his. My hand dropped uselessly to my side.

Brett leaned into her, almost casually. "Glenda, my love, what's wrong?" He hadn't called her that before, had he? My mind must have misheard.

"Ms. Hardy was trying to give me a present," Glenda said, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper, as if I were a distant, bothersome echo. "I told her it wasn't necessary."

Brett frowned, then his face cleared. He looked at the scarf in my hand. "Oh, Alex, you always pick the best things! Glenda, darling, it's Alex. She's thoughtful. It's a good thing. Take it." He took the box from my numb fingers and pressed it into Glenda's hand.

Glenda's expression softened, a small, almost coy smile gracing her lips. "If you insist, Mr. Parker," she murmured, her eyes flicking to mine for a fraction of a second. A flicker of triumph. "Thank you both."

"Oh, it's just Glenda being humble," Brett said, patting her shoulder. "She's so dedicated. You know, she's an amazing cook too. You'll love her food. She made my famous mushroom risotto tonight! I told her all about your preferences, so don't worry."

My chest felt tight, a strange sensation of being both present and invisible. "Good," I managed, my voice a little hoarse. "I'm starving."

A moment later, as I was heading to my bedroom to freshen up, Glenda called out, "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, Ms. Hardy."

I nodded, grateful for the heads-up. Maria always did that. It was a professional courtesy. I pushed my bedroom door open, not bothering to knock on my own door. I had a few minutes to myself before dinner. I just wanted to change into something comfortable and splash some water on my face.

The door creaked open, revealing my inner sanctuary. My private space. It was where I worked, where I relaxed. I was halfway through unbuttoning my shirt, my back to the door, when I heard a soft cough.

I froze. My heart jumped into my throat. I spun around, clutching my shirt to my chest.

Glenda stood in the doorway, her head cocked slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on her lips. She wasn't knocking. She wasn't even waiting for a response. She was just... standing there.

"Oh," she said, her eyes sweeping over me, lingering for a moment too long. "I just came to tell you dinner is on the table."

My cheeks burned. No. This wasn't how this worked. Maria would never- "Glenda," I said, my voice dangerously low. "Don't you knock before entering someone's private room?"

Her eyes widened, feigning innocence. "Oh, does Mr. Parker knock? He just walks right in."

My breath hitched. Brett? Walking into my room without knocking? That hadn't happened in years, if ever. Our relationship was built on mutual respect, on boundaries.

"Get out," I said, my voice shaking. "Now. And knock next time."

Brett's head appeared behind Glenda, a confused frown on his face. "Alex? What' s wrong?"

"Nothing," I bit out, my eyes locked on Glenda's. "Just a misunderstanding about personal space."

Brett, bless his conflict-avoidant heart, seemed to pick up on the tension. "Glenda, why don't you go make sure dinner stays warm?" he suggested gently, a subtle push.

Glenda gave me one last, lingering look before turning. "Of course, Mr. Parker." She melted away, leaving me alone with the aftermath.

I slammed the door shut, leaning against it, my chest heaving. The air in my own bedroom felt tainted. I closed my eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath. This wasn't a misunderstanding. This was a violation. And it was just the beginning.

Continue Reading

Other books by Xiao Yan

More
Rejected No More: My True Lover

Rejected No More: My True Lover

Romance

5.0

The cold, damp air clung to me as I stood on the porch of the Hayes family home. It was late, the kind of late where the world feels heavy and silent. I swallowed hard and asked Mrs. Hayes, "Is it true? That Liam... that he's been in love with me? His whole life?" Her brilliant smile was the answer, confirming a devotion I hadn't recognized. For years, I had held a secret, hopeless love for my adoptive brother, Ethan Miller, who had practically raised me. Sketchbooks filled with his face were my hidden treasure-until he found them. His face wasn' t just shocked; it was filled with pure disgust. "This is sick, Chloe," he spat, throwing the sketchbook at my feet. From that day, my life became a living hell. His new girlfriend, Madison Lee, my college roommate, systematically framed me for everything. Ethan, my Ethan, believed her every time, his cold, disappointed eyes killing a piece of me with every glance. The final blow came when he announced their wedding, then threw me out of the house. The Chloe who loved Ethan Miller died that night. Tonight, a new Chloe was born, one who would sever every tie and burn every bridge. I doused my sketchbooks in lighter fluid and watched them burn, his smile turning to ash. I texted Liam Hayes one word: Yes. He immediately replied, I'm on the first flight back. Don't go anywhere. I'm coming home. Ethan stood, his eyes wild with confusion, as he stared at the burning remains of my past. "Why?" he demanded, as I quoted him, "Because they're disgusting. You said so yourself." I announced my engagement to Liam, on the exact same date as his wedding. My parents nodded, relieved, but Mrs. Miller's smile faltered. "But... Chloe, that's Ethan and Madison's wedding day." "I know," I replied. "It's a good day to start a new life."

Her Hidden Power, Their Downfall

Her Hidden Power, Their Downfall

Xuanhuan

5.0

Elara Vance believed her world was solid: a devoted Lumin wife to Damien, and a proud mother to Kaelen, her son whose powerful Tier 7 Aura brought her immense joy. But that foundation crumbled when, in a horrifying display of ambition, Damien and Kaelen, with chilling indifference, betrayed her, brutally extracting her Lumin Core and leaving her for dead. She gasped awake, not in the afterlife, but back in opulent Lumin society, at the very Concord Gala where, in her past life, Damien had chosen her as his bride. This time, however, utter public humiliation awaited as Damien heartlessly announced his choice of her cousin, Selena Vance-a supposed rising Lumina Scion-and dismissed Elara as nothing but "Tier 1 weakness." The degradation deepened when community patriarch Alistair Thorne, driven by family "pacts," condemned Elara to a forced marriage with Rhys Ashworth, a man suffering from a fatal Aura Drain, a cruel ploy by Damien to ensure her quiet, swift end. The raw, burning questions of her agonizing death tangled with the fresh pain of public scorn: Why did they crave her demise so deeply, despising her very being as an insurmountable obstacle? Yet, armed with the vivid nightmares of betrayal and the shocking truth she now held-that Selena' s dazzling Tier 6 Aura was a dangerous lie, fueled by illicit serums-Elara stood firm. Her seemingly helpless acceptance of the doomed marriage concealed a quiet storm: she carried the forgotten ancestral secrets of her Vance lineage, ancient healing arts like "Aura Weaving." This forced union, intended as her grave, was now her unlikely battleground, her chance to not only survive but to uncover the insidious rot beneath their community's shining facade and unleash a power they never dreamed she possessed.

You'll also like

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return

No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return

Xiao Xiaosu

I went to the City Clerk’s office for a routine copy of my marriage license to finalize a trust fund audit. I expected a simple piece of paper, but the clerk’s pitying look told me my entire life was a lie. "The license was never finalized, Ms. Oliver. In the eyes of the state, you are single." The three-hundred-guest wedding at the Plaza and the Vogue features meant nothing. My husband, Gray Cooley, had intentionally filed the documents with a "procedural defect" so he could discard me without a legal divorce. Moments later, an iCloud invite titled "Our Little Secret" popped up on my screen. It was a photo of my best friend, Brylee, holding a positive pregnancy test at our Hamptons estate. Gray’s text to her was the final blow: "Happy anniversary, babe. This baby is the best gift. Once the trust unlocks today, we’re done with the charade." I soon discovered they were even stealing my career, reassigning my architectural masterpiece to Brylee while preparing my eviction notice. Gray's mother called me a "barren mule" in a leaked recording, mocking the infertility I suffered after saving Gray’s life in a construction accident. I wasn't a wife; I was a three-year placeholder used to secure his inheritance. How could the man I bled for treat me like a disposable prop? How could my best friend carry his child while pretending to comfort me through my darkest moments? The betrayal burned until it turned into a cold, hard stone of fury. I didn't cry. Instead, I walked into the penthouse of the Barretts, the Cooleys' most powerful rivals. I signed a marriage contract with Kane Barrett, the man the tabloids called the "Beast of Wall Street." "I want a wedding," I told his father, my voice steady and lethal. "Bigger than the one I had with Gray." If they wanted me gone, they would have to watch me become the woman who owns their world.

Secret Triplets: The Billionaire's Second Chance

Secret Triplets: The Billionaire's Second Chance

Roderic Penn

I stood at my mother's open grave in the freezing rain, my heels sinking into the mud. The space beside me was empty. My husband, Hilliard Holloway, had promised to cherish me in bad times, but apparently, burying my mother didn't fit into his busy schedule. While the priest's voice droned on, a news alert lit up my phone. It was a livestream of the Metropolitan Charity Gala. There was Hilliard, looking impeccable in a custom tuxedo, with his ex-girlfriend Charla English draped over his arm. The headline read: "Holloway & English: A Power Couple Reunited?" When he finally returned to our penthouse at 2 AM, he didn't come alone-he brought Charla with him. He claimed she'd had a "medical emergency" at the gala and couldn't be left alone. I found a Tiffany diamond necklace on our coffee table meant for her birthday, and a smudge of her signature red lipstick on his collar. When I confronted him, he simply told me to stop being "hysterical" and "acting like a child." He had no idea I was seven months pregnant with his child. He thought so little of my grief that he didn't even bother to craft a convincing lie, laughing with his mistress in our home while I sat in the dark with a shattered heart and a secret life growing inside me. "He doesn't deserve us," I whispered to the darkness. I didn't scream or beg. I simply left a folder on his desk containing signed divorce papers and a forged medical report for a terminated pregnancy. I disappeared into the night, letting him believe he had successfully killed his own legacy through his neglect. Five years later, Hilliard walked into "The Vault," the city's most exclusive underground auction, looking for a broker to manage his estate. He didn't recognize me behind my Venetian mask, but he couldn't ignore the neon pink graffiti on his armored Maybach that read "DEADBEAT." He had no clue that the three brilliant triplets currently hacking his security system were the very children he thought had been erased years ago. This time, I wasn't just a wife in the way; I was the one holding all the cards.

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book
Too Late For Regret, My Love Too Late For Regret, My Love Xiao Yan Modern
“My fiancé Brett and I were building a design empire. When he broke his leg, he hired a temporary housekeeper, Glenda, while I was away on business. I thought she was there to help; I didn't realize she was there to replace me. She systematically took over my home, turning Brett against me piece by piece. The final straw was finding my cat, Apollo, locked in a cage, bruised and starving. When I confronted them, Brett defended her. He called me a monster and told me to get rid of my cat for the sake of the baby I was secretly carrying. The shock of his betrayal was so profound that I miscarried that night. He never knew. He just screamed that I was a cold, calculating bitch and that Glenda was a "good woman" who truly loved him. So I left. I took my cat, liquidated my half of our company, and disappeared. Three years later, I walked into an industry gala and saw him across the room-a broken man. He looked at me with desperate regret, but I just smiled. My revenge wouldn't be loud; it would be my success.”
1

Chapter 1

26/11/2025

2

Chapter 2

26/11/2025

3

Chapter 3

26/11/2025

4

Chapter 4

26/11/2025

5

Chapter 5

26/11/2025

6

Chapter 6

26/11/2025

7

Chapter 7

26/11/2025

8

Chapter 8

26/11/2025

9

Chapter 9

26/11/2025

10

Chapter 10

26/11/2025