Too Late 15

 

Chapter 15 

Candice was furious. She had everything she ever wanted. River was hers now. The world saw them as the perfect pair: the fashion mogul and the business tycoon. Her followers adored their curated love story. The press labeled them “unstoppable, magnetic, iconic.” 

But it was all a lie. Because deep down, she knew the truth-River’s heart had never left Allison. She could feel it in the way he touched her-carefully, like she might break if he got too close. She could see it in his eyes, which rarely met hers when they spoke. She could hear it in the quiet, in the long silences after her jokes, in the excuses when she asked for more time together. It had been weeks since they were truly intimate. 

She had planned a celebration for her recent fashion exhibit-an achievement years in the making. Candice had imagined the night perfectly: River seated front row, champagne in hand, oride in his eyes. But he hadn’t come. 

He’d texted last-minute: “Something urgent came up. I’ll make it up to you.” 

She never replied. Because she was done pretending. 

That evening, Candice stormed into the most exclusive bar in the city, her hair pinned high, heels sharp enough to draw blood. Her closest friends followed, all too used to her moods, her fire, he need to drown things out with attention and noise. 

Three drinks in, she was laughing too loudly. Four drinks in, she was talking too much. 

So what’s happening with River?” one friend asked, raising an eyebrow. “You two seem.. 

listant.” 

Candice rolled her eyes. “He’s busy. Always so busy.” 

Another leaned forward. “Do you think he’s still thinking about her?” 

The table went quiet. 

Candice stared at her half-empty glass. Her lips twitched-not quite a smile, not quite a frown. He won’t find her,” she said, her voice low, words starting to slur. “I made sure of that.” 

What?” her friend asked. 

Candice laughed, more to herself. “He can call. Text. Search the ends of the earth. But she’s Jone. You wanna know why?” 

The girls leaned in. 

‘I paid off his men,” Candice said proudly. “All of them. Told them not to report anything back Told them to let her disappear.” She swirled the ice in her glass. “And she did.” 

No one spoke. 

Candice grinned. “Poor Allison. She didn’t even put up a fight. Just left.” 

She stood then, tossing her glass back and grabbing the nearest stranger’s hand. “Enough drama. I want to dance.” 

She pulled the man to the floor and began to sway, laughing into the music, letting the beat numb everything. 

Until a firm grip seized her arm and yanked her away. 

Charter 14 

She turned, blinking. 

River. 

His jaw was tense, eyes blazing with something she hadn’t seen in a long time-rage. 

“What the hell is the meaning of this?” he snapped, his voice sharp enough to slice through the 

noise. 

She smirked. “Oh, now you recognize me? After ignoring me for weeks?” 

River ignored the scene around them. “Are you cheating on me?” 

Candice let out a drunken laugh. “So what if I am? You’ve barely looked at me. Haven’t touche ne. Haven’t spoken to me like I mattered. What did you expect?” 

‘I was busy,” River growled. 

With what?” she spat. “Allison?” 

River froze. 

Candice stepped closer, alcohol thick on her breath. “You know what the funniest part is?” she vhispered. “You’re still chasing her. Still dreaming about her. Still thinking about her like she wa something more than a rebound.” 

Watch your mouth.” 

Oh, what, you’re going to pretend she wasn’t the one you loved?” Candice said, eyes flashing You think I didn’t notice? You think I didn’t hear you moan her name that night? Or how you linch every time I say her name?” 

Candice-” 

I knew she would be a problem,” she snapped. “So I made sure she vanished. I did you a favor.” 

River’s heart stopped. 

What did you just say?” 

I made sure she left, River,” she said louder, now attracting attention from every corner of the Dar. “You couldn’t let go, so I did it for you. I made her disappear. Paid your men to stay quiet. I she’s gone-it’s because I made it happen.” 

The color drained from River’s face. 

‘You…” His voice was low, trembling. “You what?” 

Candice swayed slightly, still caught in her drunken pride. “I did what needed to be done. For us For you.” 

River stepped back like he’d been punched. His eyes darkened into something deadly. “You made her leave me. You kept me from her…” 

“You’re welcome,” Candice sneered before fainting because of too much drinking.