Regrets Come Too Late

Five years into their marriage, Sierra Bell never imagined her own husband would ask her to share him with another woman.

"She's important to me. I want you to accept her," were his words.

He even made a promise to her.

"As long as you agree to this, you'll always be my wife. No one can take your place."

She had met him at her lowest point. He married her, cherished her, and indulged her in every way. She always thought that no one could ever love her more than him.

But now, she realized that everything was just a colossal joke.

-

John Henderson never expected the delicate canary he had raised to ask him for a divorce.

He didn't stop her.

He let her go, sure that she would eventually fail on her own and come back begging.

But Sierra, soft in name and stubborn in nature, would never look back no matter how hard or painful the journey.

He couldn't help but ask, "Can't you just give in for once?"

Later, Sierra finally gave in.

Right after that, she vanished from his world completely.

John, who had never known fear, suddenly found himself terrified.

Much later, she reappeared, arm in arm with another man.

John, eyes red, cornered her behind a door, half-crazed.

"Sierra, you really are heartless!"

Sierra Bell didn't know if all men wanted a loving wife at home while chasing after other women outside. But if her husband was the one who tried that on her, she wasn't about to let it slide.

Everyone in Jade City knew that Sierra, once the heiress of a wealthy family, was the apple of John Henderson's eye, who was also the second son of the powerful Henderson family.

He gave her whatever she wanted.

He would make whatever she dreamed of happen.

Their home overflowed with limited-edition pieces from every major brand. Jewelry, handbags, and watches lined up on the walls. The garage was packed with so many sports cars that one would have a problem choosing.

Even at parties, John never left her side, always holding her hand like he was afraid she might get hurt or feel slighted.

Everyone envied her for being so cherished.

Even Sierra herself almost believed John truly loved her.

"Mom?" Her little boy Tommy, still looking half-asleep and sweet, rubbed his eyes and asked in a soft voice, "Are you upset today?"

Sierra gently tucked him in, her eyes full of gentleness. "No, I'm fine."

He crawled out of bed and, to her surprise, wrapped his arms around her. "Hug."

Sierra froze for a second.

"I don't really know why you're sad, but no matter what happens, I'll always love you," he said, hugging her even tighter, like he wanted to share all his warmth with her.

Sierra smiled and patted his back.

In that moment, she found the courage she had been searching for, so she could ask what she wanted to ask.

It was eleven.

Sierra had already put her son to bed and sat in the living room, checking the clock over and over. It was almost midnight by the time the front door finally opened.

John walked in, looking perfectly put together in a crisp white shirt with his tailored black jacket tossed over his arm. His every feature was flawlessly handsome. It was like he was born favored by God, given everything without even trying.

"Why aren't you asleep?" He came over as usual and sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. His hand slipped under her shirt, tracing along her waist.

Sierra moved his hand away, unable to defend against his skilled offense. "Wait, I need to talk to you."

"We can talk while we do this," John said softly, his hand similarly gentle.

Sierra refused. "No."

"Alright," John said as he leaned in and kissed her.

Sierra suddenly thought of the lipstick stain on his shirt and those photos. Her stomach twisted, and out of nowhere, she found the strength to push him away.

"What's wrong?" John frowned, clearly confused by her rejection.

Her heart was pounding from the pressure John was emanating. She hesitated for a moment, then finally looked him in the eye after she built up the courage.

"I saw the photos of you and Pamela Sanders spending the night together at the villa."

"Yeah." John didn't let go of Sierra.

It felt like a knife to the heart. He wasn't even going to explain?

"Since you know about this already, there's something I need to talk to you about," John said, his voice low.

Sierra forced herself to stay calm. "Go ahead."

"I want you to accept her," John said, looking straight at her. "She's important to me."

Sierra stared at him in disbelief.

He didn't stop. "As long as you agree, you'll always be my wife. No one can take your place."

"Are you hearing yourself?!"

For the first time, Sierra's temper flared despite her usual gentle demeanor.

Pamela was a classmate of hers in college. She was her best friend once upon a time, but they had a falling out later on. And now, her own husband wanted her to share him with that woman!

John's face was impossible to read. "I know exactly what I'm saying."

"There's no way I'll ever agree to something so ridiculous!" Sierra looked at him like he was a stranger. "No normal person would."

"It doesn't matter. Whether you agree or not, I'm going to support her for the rest of her life." John's tone was final, and he was putting on a very strong front. "I'm only telling you because you're the lady of the house. You deserve to know."

Sierra's hands slowly curled into fists, her tone sneering. "Should I thank you for your honesty?"

"I don't mind if you want to." John was infuriating as ever.

Sierra could feel her chest tightening with anger. She used to think John was polite and principled. Turned out, after his disguise was shredded apart, he was just as filthy as the rest of humanity under that mask.

"John." She decided to give him one last chance.

John raised his eyes and looked at her calmly. "Speak your mind."

"Are you really set on keeping her around? Even if I disagree? Even if I hated it? You'd never change your mind?" Sierra asked earnestly.

She had already made up her mind. If he just said no, she would be willing to forgive everything that happened tonight.

But things never went the way she hoped.

Under her steady gaze, John answered with a certain tone, "Yes."

It felt like something had stabbed straight through her heart. Her chest was twisting in pain.

"No one can change my mind," John added.

"In that case, let's get divorced," Sierra said. She couldn't accept it, and she couldn't stay married to him. "Since you've decided to support her forever, let her have the title of your wife instead."

Maybe in another family, she could have turned to her in-laws Danny and Agnes for help.

But the two had always disapproved of their marriage. They thought John should have married someone in his own league.

Sierra's family used to be well-off, but next to the Hendersons, she was nothing. After her father ran off with all the money, leaving the company in ruins, she had even less worth in their eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" John's expression turned dark.

"Loyalty is my bottom line. I'm sure," Sierra answered, her voice unwavering.

John looked at her, clearly surprised that the obedient woman he once knew was standing up to him.

"Fine." He agreed right away.

John's indifference hurt more than Sierra wanted to admit. Deep down, she knew that after all these years, she had never really been in his heart. All those sweet gestures were probably just something out of boredom.

The more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt. She went upstairs and grabbed the divorce agreement she had prepared in advance.

She should have known this day would come.

Three months ago, she smelled another woman's perfume on him and asked about it. He told her he must have gotten it on a flight by accident.

And she believed him.

Looking back, that was just an excuse. Three months ago, Pamela had just returned to the country. Thinking about it now, they must have been together then.

"Here are the divorce papers. Take a look." Sierra signed her name in front of him and handed the document over. "If you don't have any issues, sign them. We'll file for divorce tomorrow."

"You realize what divorce means for you, right?" John said, blunt as ever.

Sierra's hands tightened. "I don't need you to remind me of that."

"You haven't worked in five years," John said as he picked up the agreement, his words cruel. "How are you going to pay for your mom's medical bills? Have you thought this through?"

John opened the divorce papers. When he saw that the assets would be split evenly and that custody of their son would go to her, he glanced at her.

"You're quite ambitious."