Too Late for Regret

At the family dinner, Chloe suddenly looked at me and asked:

Natasha, do you still hate Cameron for making you take the rap for Louise and go to prison?

I smiled and shook my head. Not at all. After all, if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have met my current fianc.

As I spoke, I casually adjusted my collar, letting the sapphire necklace around my neck catch the light. Then, I pulled out a stack of gold-embossed engagement invitations and handed them to everyone at the table.

"My engagement party is next month. I hope you all can make it."

The moment those words left my mouth, the main table went dead silent. Everyones eyes instantly locked onto the man who had just crushed his wine glass with his bare hand.

His eyes were bloodshot, looking as if he wanted to tear me apart. But I was actually surprised to see him lose his mind like this.

"Natasha, what did you just say? Say that again!"

The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the silent banquet hall.

Cameron violently pushed his chair back. Ignoring the glass shards dug deep into his palm, he marched toward me.

Blood dripped down his fingers, leaving dark red stains on the expensive carpet.

He stared at the invitation in my hand, his eyes filled with terrifying veins, his chest heaving violently.

The relatives exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to make a sound.

I sat perfectly still, finding his loss of control utterly pathetic.

Three years ago, when he forced me into prison, he was cold and calculated.

"Is your hearing going bad with age, Cameron?"

I slid the last invitation across the table, right in front of him.

"I said, Im getting engaged."

Cameron snatched up the invitation, his eyes locking onto the two names printed side by side.

The veins on the back of his hand bulged, his knuckles turning white from his grip.

"Kennedy Monroe?" he sneered through clenched teeth.

"Natasha, you really are desperate. Youd use any cheap trick just to get back at me."

"Hiring some random guy to play your fianc and daring to use the Monroe family name? Do you have a death wish?"

I picked up my teacup, took a calm sip, and spoke in a flat voice.

"Whether it's an act or not, you can come and see for yourself next month."

Cameron slammed the invitation onto the table and leaned in close, looming over me.

The familiar scent of cedar cologne on him only made me feel sick now.

"Natasha, stop throwing tantrums. There's a limit to my patience."

"Youve been out of prison for two weeks. Haven't I been accommodating enough?"

"I bought you a house, a car. And you still choose to embarrass yourself in front of my entire family?"

His tone carried a sickening, patronizing pity, as if I were just a pet throwing a childish fit.

I raised my eyes to meet his angry glare.

"Cameron, do you honestly think that because I spent three years in prison for Louise, Im chained to you like a dog for the rest of my life?"

At the mention of "Louise," Cameron's face darkened instantly.

Before he could speak, a delicate, fragile voice echoed from the entrance of the hall.

"Natasha, please stop using this to hurt Cameron."

Louise walked in, wearing a pure white haute couture dress. She looked like a spotless white lotus.

She naturally wrapped her arm around Cameron's, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe the blood from his hand.

"Cameron is only doing what's best for you. You just got out of prison. With a criminal record, what decent man would ever marry you?"

She turned to look at me, a flash of smugness in her eyes.

"That necklace... its a cheap knockoff, isn't it?"

"If you're really that broke, or just want to show off, you could have asked us. There's no need to buy fake jewelry."

The relatives immediately began whispering, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Exactly. Who would want a woman whos been to prison?"

"Showing off a fake necklace... how embarrassing."

I stared at Louises hypocritical act, feeling a wave of disgust.

Three years ago, she was the one who committed the hit-and-run.

Yet now, she stood here, glamorous and shining, mocking the scapegoat who took her place.

Cameron held Louises hand and looked down at me coldly.

"Take that necklace off. Stop embarrassing yourself."

I gently touched the sapphire necklace. Kennedy had put it around my neck himself last night.

"Make sure to bring your precious Louise with you, Cameron. Don't be late for the wedding toast."

"Do you really think buying a fake necklace will get my attention?"

Cameron let out a cold laugh, his voice filled with arrogance.

"Natasha, Im giving you one last chance. Leave with me now, and Ill pretend none of this happened."

Looking at his self-righteous face, I found the whole situation hilarious.

I ignored him, grabbed my bag, and walked toward the exit, ignoring the whispers of the crowd.

Behind me, Camerons voice boomed, thick with suppressed rage.

"Natasha! If you walk out that door today, don't you dare come crawling back to me on your knees!"

I didn't stop. Without looking back, I pushed open the heavy doors.

The cool night wind swept over me, washing away the suffocating air of the banquet hall.

While waiting for my ride, my mind drifted back to that rainy night three years ago.

That night, Cameron had banged on my apartment door, dripping wet.

He fell to his knees, his eyes red and his voice trembling.

"Natasha, Louise hit someone with her car. The victim is in critical condition."

"She has severe clinical depression. If she goes to prison, she wont survive."

"Please help her. Just this once."

I was too shocked to speak, staring at the man I had loved for five years.

"Cameron, you want me to take the fall for her?"

He grabbed my hand tightly, like a drowning man clutching a straw.

"The security cameras were down, and only the two of you were in the car area. As long as you confess you were driving..."

"I promise, Ill hire the best lawyers to get you out in six months."

"Once you're out, well get married. Youll be Mrs. Franklin."

I was so foolish back then.

For his empty promise and his desperate tears, I nodded.

But instead of six months, I got three years of living in hell.

Inside, I didn't just lose my freedom. I lost the one thing I cherished most.

A black Maybach pulled up silently in front of me, cutting my memories short.

The window rolled down, revealing Camerons gloomy face.

"Get in," he commanded.

I took a step back, keeping my distance.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Franklin?"

Cameron frowned, clearly annoyed by my coldness.

"Haven't you had enough? Must you make a scene on the street?"

"Ive arranged a condo for you downtown. Report to the logistics department at Franklin Enterprises tomorrow."

"Louise is kind-hearted. She felt bad for you, so she begged me to find you a decent job."

Hearing that, I wanted to laugh out loud.

Working as a cleaning lady at Franklin Enterprises, and I was supposed to thank Louise for it?

"No, thank you. I have no interest in your charity, Mr. Franklin."

I turned to leave, but Cameron slammed his car door open, lunging forward to grab my right wrist.

An agonizing pain shot from my wrist straight to my chest.

My face went pale. I gasped and violently wrenched my hand back.

"Let go of me!"

Cameron froze, taken aback by my extreme reaction. His frown deepened.

"What are you screaming for? I can't even touch you now?"

He had no idea. In that prison, someone had stomped on my right hand, crushing my fingers. I could never play the piano again.

Clutching my trembling right hand, I glared at him.

"Cameron, my patience has its limits. Get lost."

"Natasha, don't push your luck!"

Cameron's face turned completely cold, his eyes dark and menacing.

"Look at yourself. Who do you think you are?"

"An ex-con with a criminal record. Who else would want you besides me?"

"Do you really think a man like Kennedy Monroe would marry you? You're just a plaything to him."

I looked at his raging face, feeling absolutely nothing.

"That is none of your business, Mr. Franklin."

I hailed a passing taxi and slid into the backseat.

As the car sped away, I saw Cameron standing under the streetlights in the rearview mirror, his face twisted in anger.

The next morning, I went to an interview for an administrative manager position at a multinational firm.

The pay and benefits were excellent, and I had aced the written tests and the initial interview.

The HR Director, Sarah, was highly impressed and was about to hand me the offer letter.

Just then, her office phone rang.

She picked it up, listened for a few seconds, and her expression slowly changed.

After hanging up, she looked at me with a mixture of pity and regret.

"Miss Sinclair, I am terribly sorry. We just received a directive from upper management... We cannot hire you."

My heart sank, but I kept my composure.

"May I know why?"

Sarah sighed and lowered her voice.

"Your background check... Someone powerful called in. They mentioned your criminal record."

"And... they said you crossed someone you shouldn't have."

I understood immediately.

In this city, the only people who had the power and malice to do this were Cameron and Louise.

I thanked her politely, took my resume, and walked out of the building.

As soon as I reached the lobby, I saw Louise. She was wearing sunglasses and designer heels, flanked by a group of bodyguards.

Seeing me, she stopped, took off her sunglasses, and smirked.

"Oh, look who it is. Natasha. Looking for a job?"

She scanned my faded white shirt with pure contempt.

"How did it go? Rejected again?"

I stared at her coldly, saying nothing.

Louise took two steps closer and whispered in my ear.

"Natasha, did you really think you could start over?"

"As long as I am in high society, you will never find a decent job in this city."

She chuckled softly, her voice dripping with venom.

"I am grateful you went to prison for me. Truly."

"Thats why I asked Cameron to give you some money. Why don't you take it and crawl back to your hometown? Why stay here and eyesore me?"

Looking at her hideous face, I realized Cameron had been completely blind for three years.

"Louise, do you really think that with Cameron protecting you, you own this world?"

Louise raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.

"Well, crushing you is easier than stepping on an ant."

"Cameron loves me. You were nothing but a convenient shield."

She reached out to pat my cheek, but I slapped her hand away.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy."

Louises face stiffened, but she quickly recovered her arrogant posture.

"Enjoy being stubborn while you can, Natasha. Lets see how long you last."

She put her sunglasses back on and walked away with her entourage.

I stood in place, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number I knew by heart.

The moment the call connected, I spoke softly.

"Are you really sure you can play Mrs. Franklin forever, Louise?"

"Whether I play Mrs. Franklin or not is none of an ex-con's business."

On the other end of the line, Louise sneered and hung up.

In the afternoon, I received a frantic call from the nursing home where my mother was staying.

The head nurse sounded extremely anxious.

"Miss Sinclair, your mother's account is overdrawn."

"And the administration just received an order. Your mother must vacate her private ICU suite tomorrow morning."

I took a deep breath, forcing down the burning rage in my chest.

"I understand. Im on my way."

The nursing home was owned by Franklin Enterprises.

Back then, to make sure I took the fall quietly, Cameron had promised to provide my mother with the best medical care.

Now, he was using my mother's life to threaten me.

When I arrived at the nursing home, Cameron was sitting on a bench outside my mothers ward.

He sat with his legs crossed, playing with a custom lighter, his expression completely detached.

He didn't even look up when I walked over.

"Changed your mind?"

I stood before him, looking down at his face.

"Cameron, leave my family out of this. Don't you think this is incredibly low?"

He snapped the lighter shut, stood up, and stepped into my space, using his height to intimidate me.

"Low? Natasha, Im only taking back what I paid for."

"Since you refuse to be obedient, you have to face the consequences."

Just then, Louise walked down the corridor.

She affectionately wrapped her arm around Cameron's, her eyes landing on the sapphire necklace around my neck. Her eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh Cameron, that necklace is so beautiful. I love it."

She pouted like a spoiled child, tugging at his arm.

Cameron glanced at me, his tone casual, as if discussing a piece of garbage.

"It's just a knockoff anyway. Since Louise likes it, give it to her. I'll transfer a hundred thousand dollars to your account."

I instinctively covered the necklace and took a step back.

"It's mine. It's not for sale."

Louise pouted, acting hurt.

"Natasha, don't be so stingy."

"I'll give you two hundred thousand. That's enough to pay for your mother's medical bills for months."

Seeing me refuse, Camerons face darkened instantly.

"Natasha, don't make me repeat myself."

"Your mother's ICU room, her imported medication... everything depends on my mood."

"Take the necklace off and give it to Louise."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a deadly threat.

Staring at the two of them, I felt my blood run cold.

I clenched my teeth, my trembling hands slowly reaching behind my neck to unclasp the necklace.

A triumphant gleam flashed in Louises eyes, and she reached out to grab it.

But the moment her fingertips touched the chain, she gasped and let go.

The priceless sapphire necklace fell onto the hard marble floor.

It didn't shatter, but it made a heavy, dull sound.

Louise covered her mouth, putting on an innocent act.

"Oops, my hand slipped."

She looked down at the necklace, her eyes filled with malicious joy.

"Since it's on the floor, I might as well step on it. You won't mind, will you, Natasha?"

With that, she raised her sharp stiletto heel, aiming straight for the sapphire.

"Don't you dare!" I screamed.

Just as her heel was about to crush it, a cold, commanding voice echoed from the end of the hallway.

"Step on it? Go ahead and try."