Too Late for Regret:My Ex-Husband Are Trying to Win Me Back novel Chapter 24

24 /24

Zachary laughed, and as he did, tears slid down his face.

Maybe it was for the best. If they couldn't love each other for a lifetime, he would settle for hatred. At least that way, Lorelai would never forget him.

He lifted his gaze to her and said, "If this is what you want, I'll accept it."

Ethan had been right. Sometimes loving someone didn't mean staying together. After everything he had done to hurt Lynette, forcing himself back into her life would never bring happiness.

Perhaps she was right all along. Perhaps separation was the only ending they were ever meant to have.

When everyone believed the story had finally reached its end, Charmaine appeared out of nowhere. Like a madwoman, she stormed onto the stage and plunged a knife at Lorelai. "Lynette Sterling, you ruined my life! Why should you be allowed to be happy? If I'm trapped in this living hell, don't think you'll walk away unscathed!"

She raised the knife again, but Philip reacted instantly, kicking her away and pulling Lorelai into his arms. "Hang in there, Lorelai. I'll bring you to the doctor."

But Charmaine had lost her mind. Like a rabid animal, she scrambled up, seized the knife, and lunged again.

At that moment, Zachary charged forward, stepping between Lorelai and the blade. The knife pierced his chest. His legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees.

Bodyguards stormed in, restrained Charmaine, and called the police.

With his knees on the ground, Zachary looked up at Lorelai and smiled. "Nettie, your father died because of me. Today, I give you my life in return. We're even now, okay?"

The once-arrogant, untouchable legal titan now looked like a child who had made an unforgivable mistake, begging for forgiveness.

Lorelai trembled uncontrollably. Her lips parted, then pressed together. "Zachary, two lives were lost in the Sterling family. That's not something you can ever 'settle.'"

Zachary let out a bitter laugh. "If it weren't for me, Charmaine wouldn't have hated you. So, I deserve the knife. If I really die, will you remember me for the rest of your life? Lynette, since you can't love me with all the days of your life, holding a memory of me doesn't seem so bad either."

Lorelai stayed silent. Saving her life didn't erase what lay between them. Their debts could never be erased.

When the ambulance arrived, Lorelai asked them to treat Zachary first. The knife had struck a critical area. After hours of emergency surgery, his life was saved, but he remained unconscious. The doctor warned that if he didn't wake up within three months, he would stay in a coma forever.

For the three months that followed, Lorelai visited Zachary every day. Death would have been too easy on him. She wanted him alive, to live to suffer and carry the guilt for the rest of his days.

That same day, Charmaine was convicted of multiple crimes and sentenced to death.

Lorelai dressed neatly and went to see her one last time.

Ten minutes before the execution, Lorelai and Charmaine met privately.

Driven by revenge, Lorelai bribed the inmates to torment Charmaine in prison. After three months, Charmaine was a shell of who she once was.

When Lorelai entered the room, the light from the doorway pierced Charmaine's eyes. She raised a hand to shield herself. When she recognized who it was, she sneered. "Lynette, have you come to mock me?"