Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back) novel Chapter 19

THE restaurant was alive with music, laughter, and clinking glasses. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting soft, golden light across the marble-topped tables. Outside, the city glittered like a thousand stars reflected on the glass buildings, but inside, Charles sat comfortably, a glass of deep red wine in his hand, leaning back in his chair as though the world belonged to him.

Across the table, two of his closest friends, Julian and Marcus, each had an arm around a stunning lady whose elegance seemed to shift with every gesture, like water flowing effortlessly. Their dresses shimmered under the light, their hair perfectly styled, and the confidence in their smiles spoke volumes. They laughed at a joke Julian had just cracked, tilting their heads back in unison, their jeweled earrings catching the light as they did.

Charles watched them for a moment, a small smirk playing on his lips. He sipped his wine slowly, the red liquid sliding down smoothly, leaving the taste of oak and berries. Beside him, his own chair remained empty, untouched by a woman, probably for that night or any other night.

Julian spoke up, as though he was just noticing.

“Oi, Charles,” he said, nudging him with an elbow. “Where is your girl, man? Don’t tell me you came all alone.”

Marcus laughed, setting down his glass with a gentle clink, saying nothing.

Julian continued.

“Come on, it is getting boring seeing you sit there like some saint while we parade around with our ladies. Come on, man. Pick one for the night!”

Charles raised a brow, leaning forward just slightly, his smirk widening, but he said nothing.

“Guyyy,” Marcus offered to speak for him, “you forget yourself. Man is now a man of honor. A man of principle.”

Julian glanced at him and laughed.

“Honor?” he repeated, shaking his head, “oh God!” He shook his head in more laughter.

Marcus nodded.

“Yes, he is engaged, man. He's now someone’s fiancé. He can’t join us in these… these ‘women affairs’ like the rest of us,” he laughed like he own the world.

Charles laughed along with them, a rich, carefree sound that filled the space around the table.

“Ah, yes,” he said, raising his glass. “I am engaged. Bet you didn’t see that coming. So, I will abstain. Tonight, I drink for love and commitment— while you two drink for… whatever the hell it is you do.”

Julian clinked his glass against Charles’s, smirking.

“Love and commitment, huh? Sounds fancy. Makes me sick just hearing it.”

Marcus leaned back, still laughing.

“I swear, Charles, sometimes I think your life is easier than anyone else’s. No worries, no complications… just champagne, dinners, and engagement rings.”

Charles shook his head and laughed again, speaking in that smooth, measured tone that often left people simultaneously charmed and irritated

“You have no idea, my friends. You have no idea.”

The laughter at the table was infectious, light, and free. The kind of laughter that makes the rest of the world seem distant and unimportant. But then, as the laughter died down for a sip of wine, Marcus leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“But… speaking of complications,” Marcus said slowly, “what about Amelia? Did you call her back? Have you called?”

Charles froze for the briefest second, though he masked it with a sip of wine, tilting the glass to hide any trace of emotion. Julian, on the other hand, just looked on, casually picking at the rim of his glass, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that had entered the conversation.

Charles waved a dismissive hand, his smile returning smoothly.

“Mehn! Don’t ruin my moment,” he said, voice light but edged with something unspoken.

Marcus laughed loudly.

“Seriously? Charles. Seriously?”

Charles leaned back, adjusting slightly in his seat, crossing one ankle over the other.

“Come on, man. It’s just… it’s not that deep. Let it be. Can’t we just enjoy tonight without digging into the past?”

Julian, however, couldn’t help his curiosity.

“No, no, I need to know,” he said, leaning forward, elbows on the table now, fixing Charles with a pointed look. “Can you guys let me in? What the hell happened? Spill it. I can’t just sit here and watch you squirm over… over Amelia. What is going on?”

Charles’s smirk returned, this time tighter, a controlled curve that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Please, can we just let it go?” he said, his voice cool and measured, though the laugh that followed carried a brittle edge. “Tonight, we are here to eat, drink, and merry. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Julian leaned back again, a faint whistle escaping him.

“You have got secrets, Charles. I can see it in your eyes. And I swear, one day, it’s going to come out. You can’t keep dodging everything.”

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