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Chapter 2
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Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 3
That night, Eleanor's forehead felt like it was on fire, and even the air she exhaled seemed to burn. She figured she had a fever, so she threw on a coat and got out of bed to search for a thermometer.The hallway lights were still off. Leonard must not have made it home yet. As she walked past the guest room, she heard the muffled sound of voices drifting from inside."Leo, do you think she'll be upset that you're letting me stay?"It was a voice she knew all too well.Eleanor stopped dead in her tracks. That voice had been a steady presence in her life, one she'd overheard countless times on Leonard's phone.It was Rachel.Eleanor couldn't believe he'd actually brought Rachel here. This place held all their most cherished memories.She could still recall the day the wind howled and thick snowflakes danced through the air, Leonard pulling her close as he pointed out the villa. Not a single snowflake had touched her coat, though, because he'd kept her sheltered in his arms."Th
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 4
Leonard paused, his gaze drifting toward Eleanor as she walked away. Her posture was upright, her steps firm, and she was out of sight in no time. That was typical of her—distant and resolute.A low rumble of thunder broke the stillness outside. Leonard frowned and was about to go after her.But then, Rachel's voice, full of vulnerability, reached him. "It's going to rain. I don't want to be alone..."In the end, Leonard stayed where he was. He knew Eleanor wouldn't go far. In Atherton, she had no one else but him.Where could she even go? She'd be back before long.As expected, Eleanor had nowhere to go. The moment she stepped outside, the sky opened up, and rain poured down in torrents.She had left in such a hurry that she hadn't even grabbed her phone, leaving her no choice but to take shelter under the awning of a nearby convenience store, her appearance a mess.Watching the rain fall, its curtain blurred by the mist, Eleanor felt a pang of bitterness. When she first arrive
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 5
Eleanor was caught off guard.As Sandra tidied up the place, Eleanor went through a pile of clothes and pulled out an outfit to change into. All at once, it dawned on her that barely anything in her possessions truly reflected her own taste. Most of it had been picked with Leonard's preferences in mind. Even her clothes were gifts from him, selected to suit his style. And so many of those items seemed to mirror Rachel's fashion sense.After changing, Eleanor selected a few more items from the pile. Then, she gestured to the remaining clothes and told Sandra, "Put the rest up on a resale site."Eleanor didn't want a thing that catered to someone else's taste.After finishing her minimal makeup, Eleanor hurried out the door and headed to the office.No one at the company had a clue about her relationship with Leonard. He'd always been adamant about keeping his personal and professional lives separate.She played her part as his secretary, acting as if she hardly knew him. Only in
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 6
Leonard returned the smile, gently pinching Eleanor's cheek. A hint of amusement laced his voice, his long lashes casting faint shadows over his eyes."I'll love you even more, Ellie," he murmured.Eleanor forced a small smile, tilting her head slightly away.Leonard's hand fell, his fingertips grazing her hair but finding nothing. His smile dimmed, and though his voice remained gentle, an almost imperceptible chill slipped in."Ellie, you're still unhappy?" he asked.The answer was yes.Eleanor hadn't expected anything from him, but the emptiness in her heart was unbearable. She couldn't endure another second there. Every moment felt like a cruel form of punishment."No," Eleanor whispered, her gaze lowering. "This is the office. It wouldn't look right if anyone saw us."She stepped back slightly, her expression staying as composed as ever.No matter how hard Leonard tried, he couldn't read her. He remained in front of her, his stare unwavering.A quiet, unspoken tension lin
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 7
Eleanor and Caleb made their way toward the office building, walking in silence beside each other.His presence hung over her like an oppressive weight. All she could think about was getting back to the company as quickly as possible.When they reached the building, Eleanor managed a faint smile and said, "Thanks.""It's been raining a lot lately. You should bring an umbrella. You can't rely on luck all the time," Caleb said.He was holding the umbrella, his gaze fixed on her with an unreadable expression. His presence quickly closed in around her.Eleanor knew exactly what he meant. He was telling her she couldn't count on always being lucky enough to find someone willing to help.Before she could speak, Caleb walked into the rain, his long strides cutting through the heavy downpour. His tall form disappeared into the mist of the night, and it wasn't until he was completely out of view that she finally averted her gaze.She glanced down at her phone. It was already 8:30 pm. The
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 8
Leonard's arm, which had been resting around Eleanor's waist, slid away without warning. He turned his head, his attention snapping to the voice."Alright. Just send it over," he said.From where Eleanor stood, all she could see was the sharp line of his profile. Even without facing him directly, she could feel the distance he maintained from her and the tenderness he reserved for Rachel."Eleanor, am I interrupting something?" Rachel asked, her face carrying a hint of innocence.Though she spoke to Eleanor, her gaze shifted almost intentionally toward Leonard. Her expression alone was enough to make any man fall for her."Not at all. We weren't doing anything," Leonard said flatly.Still, something in his voice gave Eleanor the strange feeling he was trying to explain himself. It felt awkwardly similar to a situation where a guy got caught in the act by his girlfriend. Only, in this case, they were the couple."Oh? I thought you two were about to…"Rachel let the sentence hang
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 9
Eleanor came to a halt.She'd been with Leonard for years, and in all that time, he'd only blow-dried her hair twice. Once, she'd practically had to beg him, and even then, he'd only agreed after some reluctance.He was particular about cleanliness and wouldn't do something like that for just anyone."Sure. Have a seat," Leonard said."Thanks, Leo. You're the best!" Rachel's voice floated out, soft and sweet.Eleanor's lashes fluttered. Her pale complexion grew even more so. She hadn't expected him to agree so readily without a moment's hesitation. A bitter smile crept across her face.Eleanor didn't head downstairs. Instead, she turned around and went back to her room.The sound of the blow dryer kept ringing in her ears. Even with a long hallway and two doors between them, she could still hear it faintly.She couldn't recall when she'd fallen asleep. All she knew was that when she woke up the next morning, Rachel and Leonard were both gone from the house.Eleanor was one day
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 10
Eleanor gritted her teeth against the pain, forcing a bitter smile, and said nothing more.On the other end of the line, Leonard picked up on her silence and spoke again, "Rachel and I are out here meeting with a client, Ellie. You've got to be more understanding."His tone was gentle, but the words cut deep."Alright. I've got to get back to work. I'll be home later," he said.The call ended abruptly.Eleanor was caught off guard. It was absurd. All she'd wanted was to ask him for a little help, but before she could even get the words out, he'd already painted her as the problem.As Eleanor glanced down at her phone, the cashier's voice broke through again, sharp with impatience, "Miss, the line's clear. You're the last one. Are you going to pay or not?"Just as she was about to respond, a low, deep voice came from beside her, "I've got it."Eleanor turned at the sound, her eyes meeting Caleb's sharply defined features. She hadn't expected to see him again.Once the payment w
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Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 30
On Sunday, Eleanor changed her clothes before noon. Then, she stood outside Caleb's apartment and knocked on the door."Mr. Firth, we can leave whenever you're ready."Soon enough, the door opened. Caleb stood by the door. He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Eleanor's appearance. He seemed somewhat intrigued."Are you feeling so sad that you've decided to start dressing up like a college student to reminisce about those youthful days?"Eleanor felt a bit embarrassed. Caleb was being very polite as she commented on her attire.Considering that she would be meeting Harry in the evening, Eleanor had put on a white shirt and a pair of jeans. She did not even apply any makeup. Overall, she looked dull and unremarkable."Does it not suit me?" she asked.Caleb looked refined and sophisticated wearing a suit. The two of them were clearly from different worlds, especially with Eleanor's current appearance.After hearing her question, Caleb lifted his gaze and scanned Eleanor from top
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 29
Eleanor clutched the file in her hands tightly. Her voice was cold and distant. "I'm not asking for your opinion, Mr. Bateman. I'm simply informing you that I'll only handle the negotiations for this project."Silence fell over the room. The others were all staring at Eleanor in bewilderment.Eleanor had always followed and carried out Leonard's instructions dutifully. Yet, she was clearly talking back to him just now. Her colleagues felt as though they had just seen the sun rise from the west.Eleanor ignored those curious gazes and asked for all the documents related to the project. After gathering everything she needed, she turned around and walked off. She did not want to spend another second in that place.Leonard burned with rage as he watched her walk away determinedly. A cold light glinted in his eyes. He knitted his brows and chuckled."Ellie, it's about time you stop throwing your tantrums, right?" he thought.Leonard had endured it when he saw Eleanor chatting happily
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 28
Eleanor had not just liaised with those from Sullivan Group before. She had almost gone to the authorities at one point while working with them.She calmed herself down and asked, "Is their person in charge Harry Sullivan?""Yes," Leonard answered after a brief pause.Eleanor had a grim look in her eyes upon hearing his reply.Harry Sullivan, who was born into a wealthy family, was a notorious man in Atherton. Words like vile, lustful, and violent were all used to describe him. Leonard could not possibly not know what kind of man Harry was. Still, he had called Eleanor regardless."Eleanor, we all know how frisky Harry can get and how he likes to harass girls. We shouldn't have dragged you into this. However… he specifically requested to see you. You wouldn't let everybody's efforts go to waste, right?" Rachel had an innocent look on her face as she wiped her tears away.One of their colleagues chimed in, "She's right, Eleanor. You're a nice person. Also, everyone's worked on t
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 27
After exiting the art exhibition's venue, Caleb drove Eleanor back to the apartment. He glanced at Eleanor through the rearview mirror. "Are you alright, Ms. Slater?"Eleanor lowered her head. Instead of answering the question, she steered away from that topic. "Mr. Firth, thank you for the painting."The painting held profound meaning to her. Therefore, she cherished it a lot.Caleb's mood lifted as he watched her lightly caress the canvas. "If you truly want to thank me, come with me to a place this Sunday.""Sure," Eleanor agreed to it right away. It was only right for her to return the favor after what Caleb did for her.After returning to her apartment, Eleanor carefully hung the painting on the wall. Her heart was filled with bliss as she took in the rose that was born amid ruins and darkness.She would take the painting with her when it was time for her to leave Atherton. The painting was like a warning to Eleanor. It would act as a constant reminder of all the sacrifices
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 26
"I don't think that'll be necessary." Eleanor chuckled softly and dropped her gaze.She had already made up her mind when she decided to head back to Javensburg.Eleanor gave Leonard and Rachel a slight nod. Then, she was about to leave with Caleb.Hair tucked behind her ears, Eleanor had a calm look in her eyes. She gave off a chilly air. Even though she maintained a neutral expression, she suddenly seemed much more distant and unapproachable.Leonard's heart sank. He felt like something was slowly slipping away from him.Rachel asked pitifully, "Eleanor, are you feeling upset?"Before Eleanor could say anything, she continued, "Leo hadn't accompanied you to art exhibitions previously because he was too busy. He only came here with me today because we had some free time after a recent project ended. "You shouldn't be mingling with the wrong crowd just to make Leo angry, alright?"Rachel kept up with the pitiful act and pretended to be very understanding. Still, Eleanor could
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 25
Eleanor paused briefly. She did not expect to receive an invitation from Caleb to visit the art exhibition together.She did not particularly dislike Caleb. In fact, her impression of him so far had been quite favorable. Anyway, Eleanor had already made up her mind to go. Having a companion did not sound like a bad idea to her.After a moment's consideration, she typed out her reply and sent it to Caleb."Sure."…It was a weekday the next day. Still, there were a lot of people who came to see the art exhibition.Caleb and Eleanor walked along the corridors and saw many artworks. A particular artwork caught Eleanor's eye at some point.The painting was not exactly aesthetically pleasing. It was dull and somber. Some might even say it was ugly.Yet, in that seemingly hopeless, run-down environment, a tiny rose bloomed. The brushstrokes seemed free yet controlled at the same time. Eleanor was someone who had considerable knowledge about art and paintings. She had taken art cour
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 24
Leonard fixed Caleb with a stony gaze. Eleanor knew how much he despised Caleb. Naturally, he surmised she had gotten close to Caleb just to upset him.Eleanor had an impassive look on her face. "My private life is none of your business. We'll be leaving first if that is all."Leonard's eyes burned with rage.Meanwhile, Caleb's lips had curled into a mocking grin since earlier. Just then, Rachel strode forward and stood between Leonard and Eleanor. She appeared as though she wanted to help pacify the two of them."Eleanor, Leo is saying these things for your own good. You shouldn't say such hurtful words that'll only end up hurting your relationship."There was a look of disdain in Eleanor's eyes as she shot Rachel a sidelong glance.Hurting their relationship? They already broke up. How was that a concern when she and Leonard were no longer in a relationship?Eleanor said frigidly, "You, of all people, have no right to meddle in my personal affairs."Rachel's face was draine
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 23
Eleanor kept her head lowered and stood there, unmoving. It was only when Leonard's gaze drifted toward the ground that he noticed Eleanor had injured her ankle.He furrowed his brows and took a step forward. "When did you injure your ankle? Why didn't you tell me about it?"Eleanor instinctively took a few steps backward when she saw him move closer. Everyone else could sense her resistance.Leonard halted in his tracks. His voice hardened. "You should stop throwing tantrums now that you're hurt. Eleanor, come home with me."Eleanor did not budge. She directed her gaze at Leonard. His face became rather animated because of how worried and agitated he was.If it were during her first or second year here, Eleanor would definitely think that Leonard actually cared about her. Sadly, things had changed over time.Leonard had a stony look in his eyes. He stepped forward and tried to grab onto Eleanor's hand. However, someone stuck out their arm and blocked his path.It was Caleb.Hi
Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love Chapter 22
Eleanor lifted her head and met Caleb's gaze.She paused briefly before replying teasingly, "Why are you so curious about my personal affairs, Mr. Firth? Those who didn't know better might think that you were trying to steal someone else's girlfriend."Caleb, who was about to move away, sat down beside the hospital bed again. There was an unreadable look in his eyes. "What if that is what I intend to do?"Eleanor was struck speechless. She and Caleb were staring into each other's eyes. There was a particular emotion in those orbs that she could not quite discern.She lowered her gaze and chuckled. "I'll probably have to let you down, Mr. Firth. I'm just an ordinary person. I couldn't really move on from my previous relationship so quickly. Besides…"Besides, Eleanor had decided to go back to her hometown for the arranged marriage.Caleb paused for a moment. His eyes narrowed. Then, he lightly grasped her wrist. "Are you… scared?"Eleanor froze. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.
