Too Late 23

Chapter 23 

River opened his eyes slowly, greeted by the stark white ceiling of the hospital room and the beeping of a heart monitor. Pain wrapped around every inch of his body like a steel net, but he was alive. 

Barely. He groaned, shifting his arms slightly. His side throbbed with a deep ache, reminding him of the blade. The memory hit like a wave-Allison, the nurse, the scream, the blood. 

He turned his head to the side, hoping-expecting-to see her. But she wasn’t there. 

Only a bouquet of wildflowers sat neatly on the table beside him, the same ones he had once brought her. Attached to it was a handwritten note, soft and simple: 

‘Thank you, River. For saving my life. – Allison” 

He closed his eyes, the words sinking deeper than he expected. 

She hadn’t forgiven him. Not yet. Maybe not ever. 

And yet… she still thanked him. 

Before he could fall deeper into that thought, the door opened. 

I was his butler, old and loyal, stepping in with a grim face and a tablet in hand. 

You’re awake,” the butler said, his tone both relieved and grave. “There’s something you need t 

now.” 

!iver raised an eyebrow weakly. “Is it about Candice?” 

No. About Joseph.” 

The butler walked closer, tapping on the tablet and showing River a series of images and 

eports. 

We looked into the woman. She’s not just anyone. She’s Joseph’s ex-girlfriend. Long-term Obsessive. After they broke up, she tried repeatedly to get him back.” 

iver squinted, the pieces slowly falling into place. 

And that kiss?” the butler continued. “It wasn’t initiated by Joseph. We pulled footage from the ecurity camera in the café. She kissed him-he didn’t kiss back. In fact, he pushed her away nd cut ties completely after that.” 

River was silent. 

he butler added softly, “He hasn’t spoken to her since. It seems… Joseph really loves Allison. Deeply.” 

River leaned back against the pillow, heart pounding differently now. So it was all a misunderstanding. 

A sharp pang shot through his chest-guilt and shame, not pain. 

‘Really?” he whispered, voice hoarse. 

“Yes,” the butler confirmed. “It seems that Joseph is in love with her, and perhaps it’s time for you to forget about her.” 

River swallowed hard. Then, decided to check on Allison. 

He still didn’t want to let go, but how could he fight for a woman who wasn’t his to begin with? He lost her. 

River stepped into Allison’s hospital room quietly. It was late, the hallway lights dimmed, the city outside bathed in dusk. 

Inside, the room was peaceful. Allison lay fast asleep on the bed, her face calm, color returning to her cheeks. And beside her-Joseph. 

He sat in the chair, leaned close, gently humming a quiet tune, brushing Allison’s hair with a tenderness that pierced straight through River’s heart. 

And then, Joseph whispered, “I love you. So much. I’m sorry I wasn’t there fast enough. But I’ll never leave your side again.” 

River stood frozen, hearing it all. 

He didn’t hate him anymore. 

Not after what he now knew. 

Maybe… maybe Joseph was the one for her. 

And if she was happy, wasn’t that what mattered? 

He backed away from the door slowly, not wanting to disturb them. 

But before he left the hospital, he made one last call. 

n a cold, dim warehouse on the outskirts of town, Candice sat chained to a chair, her clothes disheveled, her hair soaked with sweat. 

She looked up, trembling, as River’s men approached. 

‘Wh-what do you want from me?” she spat, voice breaking. 

One of the men leaned down. “We’re here with a message.” 

They struck her hard. 

Then again. 

And again. 

She screamed, struggling helplessly in the restraints. 

“Who sent you?” she cried, blood on her lips. 

The man leaned closer. “River. For what you did to Allison.” 

Candice’s breath caught. “No… no, no-” 

“If you ever go near her again,” the man hissed, “he will destroy your life. Your career. Everything you ever touched.” 

They threw a folder on the ground-photos, recordings, enough evidence to ruin her publicly, legally, socially. 

Candice sobbed, defiant even in defeat. “You can’t do this-” 

“You already lost,” the man whispered. “You just don’t know it yet.” 

They left her on the side of a deserted road before sunrise. 

Her body ached. Her pride was shattered. Her reputation soon to be gone.