His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 2

Overcome with guilt, Yazmin had forced her son to marry the daughter of his savior.

The day the Beryl Group officially announced Conrad and Annika's engagement, Serena went on a hunger strike that lasted for weeks.

Conrad was miserable during that time. He had told Annika, “Serena saved my life. I will never let another woman into my heart. We have two years. If I can't fall in love with you by then, you will tell my mother that you’ve fallen for someone else and want a divorce.”

Conrad believed Serena had saved him. Annika longed to tell him that she had saved him, too.

“Actually, the person I have here,” she had once said, her trembling finger tracing the scar from her kidney donation before resting over her heart, “has been with me for twelve years.”

But Conrad had cut her off, annoyed. “Perfect. When the contract is up, you can go find your precious someone. Neither of us has to stand in the way of the other’s happiness.”

Annika sniffled, forcing back the tears to protect the last shred of her pride. Though her heart was in turmoil, she had managed a calm expression. “Fine. When the contract ends, I’ll tell Yazmin I want a divorce.”

On their wedding night, he had taken her with a detached efficiency, a duty performed and quickly forgotten.

In the years that followed, he played the part of a model husband to perfection. To the outside world, he doted on her, cherished her completely. He would hold her close at every event, a protective arm around her, making them the picture of a happy, enviable couple.

But it was all a facade. The only reason he treated her so well was to prevent her from complaining to Yazmin, who might then take her frustrations out on his beloved Serena.

Now she understood. Two years ago, when Serena left, he must have promised her they would reunite on this very day.

Annika had agreed to the two-year contract hoping he would eventually see her true feelings for him. But his love for Serena was as strong as ever.

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