All Chapters of Too Late for Tears, Too Late for Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Eleanor pushed her emotions down and started speaking slowly. "Okay. I'll go."Leonard's childhood friends were all teasing her, and she couldn't come up with a good excuse to say no. Besides, she'd be leaving soon anyway. Whatever time they had left together was her last chance to be with Leonard. She told herself it was just a farewell.Eleanor changed into something fresh and prepared to leave with Leonard. Once in the car, her eyes fell on the keychain dangling from his keys. It was a pink-and-white rabbit.In the corner, she noticed the initials "RW". There was no doubt—Rachel had given it to him.The keychain had been with Leonard for years but still looked brand new. Back then, Eleanor hadn't known where it came from. She'd even joked about wanting it for herself.At the time, Leonard had just smiled and teased, "Ellie, this means a lot to me. What are you going to give me in return?"She hadn't understood then. She'd even felt a hint of frustration that he wouldn't part w

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

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

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

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