Too Late for Regret (Annalise and Roger) novel Chapter 163

Ana’s POV

I saw Katherine and Dominique following Laney, with their bodyguards trailing behind them, so I decided to follow. Once I heard what they were saying to Laney, I texted Seth. I needed some backup coming before I stepped in, as these two women were not thinking clearly. I texted Charlie, too, knowing he would be here soon. I started recording after I sent the texts, and then walked into the restroom. I let the door close loudly behind me.

“Wow, bullying a bride on her wedding day. This would be really embarrassing for you two if word got out. The fact that you brought your bodyguards in here with you really looks bad. Like you just came in here to threaten my new sister. I’m afraid I can’t allow either of you to do that,” I spoke loudly, causing the group to startle.

They were all facing the stall Laney was in, and hadn’t realized I’d overheard everything. It was clear that this wasn’t a friendly visit. I was watching, waiting for someone to try something. I knew it would happen sooner or later, so I was paying attention. She and Seth had been dancing most of the night. Once Laney stepped away, I stayed in the background. I wasn’t going to let anyone mess with her. Mom had been watching out for Laney, too, but I didn’t see her at the moment.

“Ana, you know I dated Seth; it should have been me who married him. No one even knows who she is. She doesn’t even belong in our world. You married into a family as strong as yours. You know exactly what I’m talking about, so stop acting like she deserves Seth, because we both know she doesn’t,” Katherine replied.

“You went out with him once, and he didn’t like you. I agree with him; you have no personality, and your voice grates on our nerves. So stop pretending that you had a relationship with Seth; that’s a lie. I can speak for Seth when I say that, and I overheard him speaking to Holden about your date. I believe he used the words, “Your voice is like nails on a chalkboard, “I responded.

“Doesn’t matter, I deserve to be with him. My family name alone should tell you that. So stop lying, he has always been respectful when dealing with me. Besides, love is overrated; I can give him beautiful children, and that’s what matters. I understand what it takes to be a CEO’s wife,” Katherine fired back.

“Our family marries for love, Katherine. My grandparents, my parents, and my brother and I have all married for love. I’m sorry your opinion of love is so warped. But in my family, love is the only thing that matters. Before you get it twisted, I accepted Charlie’s proposal before I knew who he was. It didn’t matter to me if he had money or not. All that mattered to me was that he loved and cared for me. On the first day I met him, he started worming his way into my heart. But it was never because he was a Billingsley. It was because he is a wonderful, caring man. A man who shows me every day just how much I mean to him,” I answered.

I knew that was driving her crazy. So many women in the city are still mad that Charlie was taken off the market before they even knew he was there. He had helped with escorts for the daughters of other powerful families, but they ignored him. They thought he was broke and unworthy, so despite his good looks, they ignored him. He didn’t give the ones who flirted with him the time of day. He knew what they were thinking. That he would be good for a quick fling, but he didn’t want to be any part of that.

“She seduced him, Ana. Seth isn’t thinking clearly. He’s just thinking with his d**k. He’s throwing his life away; he should have chosen one of us. We’re clearly better than her in every way. She’s got him wrapped around her finger, but she’s nothing special. He needs to be with a woman who knows how to fit in and knows proper etiquette. She shouldn’t have even been a choice. I can’t believe that your parents were happy about this union. I know your mother was up there standing up for her with you, but come on, no one here believes it,” Dominique replied with a scoff.

“Thankfully, neither of your opinions matters to me, or my family. Seth loves Laney. The end. You can sulk all you want, but it won’t change anything. The wedding is over, and so are your chances with my brother. You need to accept it. He doesn’t want anything to do with either of you,” I advised.

A stall door opened, and my mother walked out. Her mouth was set in a thin line, and she looked pissed. “How dare you? How dare you two walk in here and say such vicious things to Laney?” she asked.

“What exactly did I say wrong? I did see him first. He went out with me. I should be the one he married, My family does business with yours. I’m clearly the better option. She’s just an employee. How could you support her over someone you know? You’ve known me since I was born, I don’t understand how you don’t see it?” Katherine responded with tears shining in her eyes.

“I don’t know you, Katherine. I know of you. There is a big difference between those two things. You might have gone out with him once, but Ana’s right. You spoke of nothing but what you bought that day. You need to be able to carry on a conversation. Everything is not about you. It shows who you care about, and it’s not others. That is another area where you and Laney greatly differ,” my mother stated.

“You can’t talk about her like that, you old b***h. This doesn’t involve you anyway. We just wanted to speak to her for a minute. But she refused to come out. It was very disrespectful.

“We will just leave then, I’m sorry if I offended either of you,” Dominique replied. ” Congratulations on your pregnancy.”

They walked towards me, but Mom wasn’t going to let either of them go without a parting shot.

“You two need to warn your families of why we will no longer be working with them in the future. I highly doubt you brought your bodyguards in here for funsies. Expect the fee for breaking the contract to be delivered along with the contract termination paperwork by Tuesday. We will no longer be working with either of them again. I refuse to work with anyone who looks down on others like that. My husband built his company with his own blood, sweat, and tears. He did receive a small boost once we married, but he put it to full use, and now look at him. I didn’t, and would never, look down on him. Yet according to what you two were saying, if you’re not wealthy, you’re unworthy. Well, I think you two are unworthy. You should go tell your parents what you did before the whole city knows that both their companies have been blacklisted. They might want to try to sell before everything comes down around them. Maybe when you experience having to work for a living and see how hard it can be, you might lose your attitudes about others not being ‘worthy‘ enough,” my mother announced.

“You can’t do that. They will be furious. This was nothing. We never even touched her. Please, don’t punish my parents for what happened. They’ll never forgive me,” Doninique pleaded. Katherine looked too stunned to say anything.

“This was your idea, Dominique. You said she had no way to get us in trouble. I don’t want to be punished, Dominique,” Katherine shouted. “I can’t believe you. I told you that it was already too late after they got married. You didn’t even get a date with him. You started this, and now everything is ruined. I need to tell my parents what happened, so they can be prepared.”

“This is all rumors. They might get mad, but there’s no proof, Katherine. We’re in a restroom, for God’s sake. There’s nothing that they can actually do to us. It’s their word against ours. Even the Caldwells can’t survive attacking two families for no reason. The public would eat them alive. It will be a stalemate, Katherine,” Dominique replied without looking at her. “Isn’t that right, Mrs. Caldwell. You might be pissed off, but you can’t just punish our families for nothing, and that’s all this is. It will be your word against ours. Good luck causing our families to go bankrupt. The moment you try to do it. We will take to social media to tell the whole world that you’re bullying us. Do you think that your family or your company’s will escape unharmed? I think that you need to rethink what you’re planning. Because I can’t see it working out well for you.”

“Oh, I think we will manage,” my mother told them with a smirk.