Too Late For Regret: My Dead Heart

Aidan walked quietly down the hall. He stopped a maid and asked for a glass of warm milk. He carried it to Cecile's suite.

Hallie floated behind him. Her face was blank.

Aidan did not knock. He pushed the door open. Warm yellow light spilled onto the floor.

Cecile was not in bed. She had changed out of the heavy coat. She wore a very thin, black lace nightgown.

She sat on the rug by the large window. She pulled her knees to her chest. She looked out at the dark trees. She looked incredibly fragile.

She heard Aidan's footsteps. She turned her head. Her eyes were wide and wet.

Aidan walked over quickly. He put the milk on the small table. He frowned. "Why are you on the floor? It is cold."

Cecile reached out and grabbed his leg. She looked up at him. "I close my eyes and I see her. I am so afraid she will come back and take you."

Hallie hovered near the ceiling. She watched the performance. Her stomach turned.

Aidan sighed. He bent down and scooped Cecile off the floor. He carried her to the large bed and set her down.

He handed her the glass. He watched her take a sip. "No one is taking you away from me," he said softly.

Cecile put the glass down. She grabbed the edge of Aidan's shirt. Her knuckles turned white.

"Do not leave me tonight," she begged. Her voice cracked. "Please, Aidan. I am terrified."

Aidan froze. His jaw tightened. He knew he was still legally married. Staying in her bed crossed a line.

He gently tried to pull her hand away. "I am right next door. Call me if you need anything."

Cecile let go immediately. She turned her face away. A tear rolled down her cheek. "I understand. I do not want to trap you. Go."

The rejection hit Aidan's pride. He looked at her bare shoulders shaking.

Aidan took off his suit jacket. He threw it over a chair. "I will stay on the sofa."

Cecile turned back. She smiled through her tears. She pulled the heavy blanket back. She patted the empty space next to her.

"The sofa is hard," she whispered. "Sleep here. I promise I will just sleep."

The air in the room grew thick. Aidan stared at her pale skin under the black lace. His breathing got slightly heavier.

Hallie watched him. This was the final test.

Aidan reached for his wrist. He unclasped his heavy Patek Philippe watch. He dropped it on the nightstand.

He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. He climbed into the bed.

Cecile immediately wrapped her arms around his waist. She buried her face in his neck.

Aidan did not push her away. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

Hallie closed her eyes. The last piece of her marriage shattered into dust.

Down on the bed, Cecile slowly opened her eyes. Aidan could not see her face.

She looked straight up at the ceiling, a wide, wicked smirk spreading across her face. The prize was finally hers.

Hallie felt nothing. The man in the bed was dead to her. She waited in the silence for the sun to rise.