Divorcing The Ceo, Too Late For Regret Novel – “I agree to marry you.” Outside the city hall, Britney Santos stared at the already closed doors, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number. Today was supposed to be the day she and Aaron Galloway got their marriage license. But she’d waited from nine in the morning until five-thirty in the afternoon, ending up with over a dozen queue tickets clutched in her hand.
Aaron never showed. He was the one who’d suggested getting married, and he was the one who’d stood her up. This was already the third time he’d flaked on her. Britney tossed the useless tickets into the trash, turned on her heel, and called her longtime rival, Fredrick Pollard. She still remembered how, the first time she’d been ditched here, Fredrick had straight-up asked her to marry him instead. But she’d turned him down. The second time played out the same way.
This morning, Fredrick messaged her about marriage again. And this time, she said yes. Just a moment ago, she’d spotted a post in her social media feed. It was from Aaron’s old flame, his crush. In the photo, Aaron sat ramrod straight, meticulously slicing an apple, with the caption: [Whenever I need him, he’s always there. That’s true favoritism, the kind of confidence only he can give me.] Britney let out a self-mocking smirk, gave it a casual like, and commented: [Locked in forever. Wishing you eternal bliss.] To her surprise, her heart felt completely at peace. In the past, she would’ve screenshot it immediately and confronted Aaron, demanding to know what the hell it meant. It would’ve sparked a huge fight. And it always ended with him slamming the door on his way out.
But now, she didn’t even feel like getting angry. She was truly done with Aaron. The voice on the other end snapped her back to reality. “I’m on a business trip. I’ll be back in a week. If you’re still up for it, meet me at the city hall at nine.” Fredrick’s words lingered in her ear, and it finally clicked why Fredrick, the guy who’d waited outside the hall to propose the last two times, had only sent a message today. She thought, ‘A week, huh?’ She could read between the lines. He was giving her time to wrap things up with Aaron, and a chance to back out if she wanted.
Softly, she replied, “I’ll be there.” After hanging up, Britney drove back home. She lived in a vintage apartment in the city center. When Aaron found out, he’d bought the unit next door and knocked down the wall to connect them. They shared one big space but still had their own private areas. He’d put the whole place in her name when he bought it. Now, as she stared at the sprawling apartment, every corner was littered with reminders of their time together. Photos of the two of them, matching couple’s stuff everywhere, even the layout tailored to his tastes.
What used to feel like bliss now just seemed bitterly ironic. In a few hours, she gathered up everything tied to her and Aaron, stashed it in the storage room for now, and planned to toss it all tomorrow. Gazing at the newly emptied space, she called a real estate agent to list the place for sale. If she was really letting go, there was no point holding onto anything connected to him. “Yeah, price isn’t an issue. Just sell it as quick as you can,” she said firmly, cutting off the agent’s hesitant questions. “What house?” The familiar voice from behind made her freeze.
She ended the call and turned to face Aaron, who’d been MIA all day, casually replying, “A friend wants to sell theirs and asked me to handle it.” Before the words were even out, she spotted Patti Medina standing behind him, and her expression darkened. Aaron didn’t pay much attention to Britney’s words. He just turned to her and said, “Patti’s depression has flared up again. I didn’t feel right leaving her home alone, so I brought her here to stay for a few days. Go ahead and tidy up the guest room for her.” As he spoke, Patti nervously latched onto his arm, casting a timid glance at Britney. “Aaron, if it’s too much trouble, let’s just forget it.
Ms. Santos doesn’t seem very happy about this.” In one fell swoop, Patti shifted the blame onto Britney, who hadn’t said a thing, her eyes filled with a subtle hint of hurt. At that, Aaron’s expression darkened instantly. “Britney, even your tantrums have limits. You know damn well Patti’s not in a good place, yet you still left that snarky comment on her post. “Now you’re trying to block her from staying here? When did you turn into such an unreasonable person? I can’t stand women who are so petty and small-minded.” He doubled down, laying it out flat. “Don’t forget, this place is mine too. I decide who stays here. I’m just letting you know, not asking for your approval.” Through it all, Britney hadn’t said a single word, but somehow she was stuck in the middle of their tag-team accusations.
She found the whole thing absurd. “Suit yourselves.” Aaron had clearly forgotten the house was in her name. But if he insisted on having Patti move in, she couldn’t really argue against it. She looked away indifferently and headed upstairs. With Patti in the picture, Aaron’s focus would never shift to her, like how he’d come home without a word about standing her up, only rushing to get Patti settled. He’d probably even forgotten they were supposed to pick up their marriage license today. Britney wasn’t holding out any hope anymore. Back in her bedroom, she showered and overheard voices from the next room, realizing Aaron had given up his own space for Patti.
It didn’t stir much emotion in her. Even if Aaron and Patti slept together, it wouldn’t shock her. She could accept it without batting an eye. Britney had come to see that, once she’d truly let go of him, all those things that used to drive her crazy now felt like nothing. She didn’t care at all anymore. With her mind at ease, she soon drifted off, her eyes fluttering shut. Right on the brink of sleep, she felt a soft movement beside her. The next instant, she was enveloped in a warm hug. Her body stiffened just a bit. Aaron held her close from behind, his cheek nestled against her neck as he murmured, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to flake today. Patti’s situation was dire. If I’d shown up any later, she might not have made it. “Britney, she’s got no one else but me.