He Loved Her Too Late to Matter
On her 28th birthday, Chelsea Schneider gave herself a very special gift.
“Alaric, can you help me draft a divorce agreement? I want to cut all ties with Magnus.”
Alaric Malcom looked at her seriously. “Chelsea, are you sure about this? I’ll do everything I can to help, but Magnus loves you. He won’t let you go that easily.”
Chelsea paused for a moment and wondered, 'Does Magnus really love me?'
“I’ll find a way to make him agree,” she said firmly.
That evening, she wore the most stunning gown she owned and walked into her birthday party with quiet confidence. Magnus Colon’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her.
“Wow… You look amazing tonight, babe.”
He pulled her close, his arm wrapped tightly around her slender waist as he buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing her in like he couldn’t get enough.
His warm breath tickled behind her ear, making her cheeks flush pink. She tried to gently push away, but he only held her tighter.
“You smell incredible,” he murmured.
“Magnus…” Her voice trembled, body softening against his as shivers rippled down her spine.
Just when things were getting intense, Magnus’s phone rang. The sound cut through the moment like a cold blade.
“Yeah. I’ll be right there,” he said after answering.
He glanced at her, clearly still wanting more, and smiled, brushing her nose with his fingertip. “Be good. Michaela needs something. I’ll be back soon—wait for me in the hall.”
He kissed her lips softly before turning and walking downstairs.
Chelsea watched him leave, unease twisting in her gut. She saw how his eyes had gone dark the moment he answered the call.
Michaela Colon, Magnus’s younger sister, had never liked her. If she was calling during her birthday party, it couldn’t be good.
Fixing the hem of her dress, Chelsea made her way alone to the event hall, greeting guests with grace while quietly waiting for Magnus to return.
But an hour passed. Still no sign of him.
The uneasy feeling in her chest kept growing. Finally, she excused herself and went to look for him.
As she rounded a hallway corner, a burst of laughter rang out from a private room nearby.
“Hahaha… Jeff, is this stuff really that effective?”
“Of course. I pulled a lot of strings to get it. Trust me—after tonight, Chelsea’s gonna be ruined.”
At the mention of her name, she instantly froze.
Slowly, carefully, she crept closer to the door, which was left slightly ajar. Through the gap, she saw Magnus lounging lazily on a couch, twirling a small packet between his fingers. His brows were slightly furrowed, but his eyes were empty, cold, and emotionless.
“Damn, Jeff, I didn’t know you had these kinds of connections,” Michaela said as she sauntered over in heels and sat beside her brother, snatching the packet from his hands and inspecting it closely.
“As long as she takes this tonight, and my brother catches her in bed with another guy tomorrow morning? Boom—divorce guaranteed. And once she’s out, her family's shares will be ours.”
Snorting, she continued with apparent annoyance, “If her dad hadn’t forced my brother into marrying her by using the company shares as leverage, Sabrina wouldn’t have left the country, and they’d still be together. All of this is Chelsea’s fault.”
She then turned to her brother, frowning. “Hey, don’t tell me you’re actually falling for her. Sabrina’s coming back tomorrow, remember?”
“She’s just a pawn. A means to help our family bounce back. Love? That was never part of the plan.”
Magnus’s voice was calm, detached.
“I’m just thinking of a good excuse to get her to take it,” he also reasoned.
His casual tone cut through Chelsea like a knife. Just an hour ago, he was holding her, kissing her, whispering sweet nothings. And now… now he was plotting to drug her and push her into someone else’s bed.
They met in college, always competing for the top spot. Their families did business together, so they kept crossing paths. Somewhere along the way, she fell for him.
But back then, he was already with Sabrina.
Chelsea never tried to interfere—she kept her feelings buried deep.
Then, three years ago, Sabrina suddenly left the country, and not long after, Magnus proposed.
She later found out that his family had nearly gone bankrupt, and her father agreed to help them, on one condition: Magnus must marry her.
She’d thought about leaving. But she loved him and couldn’t let go.
And over the three years of marriage, he’d been good to her, gentle and attentive.
She thought maybe, just maybe, he had learned to love her back.
But now she knew the truth. The kindness had been nothing more than a strategy, a transaction.
Now that his family had recovered, she was no longer useful.
Her fists clenched so tightly that blood beaded from her palms. But the pain in her hands was nothing compared to the ache in her chest.
She couldn’t listen anymore.
Swallowing the sob rising in her throat, she turned and rushed into the nearest bathroom, her vision blurring with unshed tears.
'If he never loved me… then I won’t love him either,' she declared inwardly.
Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone and booked a one-way ticket abroad, leaving in one week.
Then, she made a call she hadn’t made in a long, long time.
From this day forward, she and Magnus would go their separate ways.
Chapter 2
By the time Chelsea walked out of the restroom, she had already pulled herself together.
She’d reapplied a bold layer of makeup to cover her swollen, tear-stained eyes. When she returned to the event hall, Magnus and Michaela were already waiting.
“Babe, where’d you go? You were gone so long—I was getting worried!” Magnus rushed to her side. He paused for a beat when he saw her heavy makeup, then reached for her hand.
“I’m fine. Just went to the restroom,” Chelsea replied flatly, pulling her hand away from his.
“Really? You're okay?” He looked down at his now-empty hand, momentarily stunned.
She simply nodded and walked past him into the crowd, not bothering to say more.
Magnus stared after her, a frown forming between his brows. Something felt off about Chelsea tonight—different in a way he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Just then, Michaela approached Chelsea with a glass of red wine in hand.
“Happy birthday, Chelsea,” she said with a sweet smile, the anticipation in her eyes poorly hidden as she held the glass out.
Chelsea stared at the swirling red liquid for a long time before finally taking it. She turned and walked back to Magnus.
Lifting her eyes to meet his, she asked quietly, “You really want me to drink this?”
She locked her gaze on him, searching for any sign of hesitation, a flicker of guilt—anything. But Magnus simply raised his own wine glass and said, “Happy birthday, babe.”
Then he downed his drink in one gulp.
Chelsea’s heart clenched so hard, it felt numb.
She slowly brought the glass to her lips—but the very next second, her hand slipped. The glass crashed to the floor and shattered with a sharp, echoing crack.
“Oh no, Chelsea! You’re so clumsy,” Michaela said, her smile vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
Magnus, on the other hand, didn’t say a word. He just frowned and stepped forward to grab Chelsea’s hand, carefully checking her fingers for any cuts.
Chelsea stayed silent, her lips pressed into a tight line. If she hadn’t heard what they said in that private room earlier—if she didn’t know the wine had been drugged—she might have actually believed that Magnus was genuinely worried about her.
But now she knew it was all just an act.
After making sure she wasn’t hurt, Magnus called over hotel staff to clean up the broken glass.
The party continued, but Michaela wasn’t done trying. She kept approaching Chelsea with different excuses, trying again and again to get her to take the drug. But each time, Chelsea saw through her and avoided it with ease.
Eventually, Michaela grew desperate and angry. Losing her temper, she shoved Chelsea toward a table lined with wine glasses.
The loud crash of glass filled the room as several cups shattered on the ground. Chelsea, having lost her balance, fell hard to the floor.
“Oh no! Chelsea, are you okay?”
“What happened? Why were you being so careless?”
The sudden commotion drew everyone’s attention. Magnus, who had been standing not far off, rushed over.
Just as he bent down to help her, Michaela cried out again.
“Magnus! Something’s wrong—Sabrina was harassed at the airport!”
“What?!” he roared.
In that instant, Magnus’s hand, currently holding Chelsea's hand, immediately let go of it.
Without a second thought, he pushed through the crowd and ran out of the event hall.
Chelsea, now unsupported, fell back to the ground again.
Chapter 3
"Hiss..." The sharp sting of glass piercing her skin made Chelsea suck in a breath through her teeth.
“Who’s Sabrina?” Seeing Magnus anxiously rush off, someone from the crowd finally voiced the question everyone was thinking.
“You don’t know? Sabrina Knowles is the woman Mr. Colon truly loves.”
“What? Then what about Mrs. Colon?”
“Oh, everyone in our circle knows the story. Chelsea married into the Colon family when they were down and out, taking advantage of the situation, and Sabrina was forced to leave the country. But now that the Colon family’s back on top, and Sabrina’s returned... let’s see how Mrs. Colon handles it.”
“Ohhh... so that’s what happened.”
“I always thought she was so classy and graceful. Didn’t expect she was the third party all along. Tsk...”
“Shhh, keep it down.”
Chelsea listened to the whispers swirl around her. Watching Magnus’s retreating back growing smaller and smaller in the distance, she couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
So this was love? Three years of marriage, and it turned out to be a cruel joke. And everyone had known all along—everyone but her.
She picked herself up off the floor, glass still embedded in her skin. But not a single person offered to help her. Of course not. These were Colon family friends, not hers.
The party came to an abrupt end after her injury.
By the time Chelsea drove herself to the hospital, it was already late into the night. The ER was quiet, nearly empty.
What she didn’t expect... was to run into Magnus and Sabrina there, of all places.
She’d just finished getting her hand bandaged when they walked in—Magnus covered in bruises and Sabrina supporting him.
“Chelsea? What are you doing here?” Magnus froze when he saw her stepping out of the treatment room, then quickly moved in front of Sabrina, shielding her without even thinking.
That instinctive move made Chelsea’s heart sink. She forced a tight smile and raised her heavily bandaged hand. “Thanks to your dear sister.”
Magnus frowned at the sight of her hand, wrapped like a mummy. He opened his mouth to say something, but Sabrina spoke first.
“Chelsea, that’s not fair. Michaela is still just a kid. As her sister-in-law, shouldn’t you be more patient with her?”
Chelsea almost laughed out loud.
A kid? Michaela was only a year younger than her. If she were still a child, then why was everyone expecting her to act like an adult?
“And what does that have to do with you?” she asked coldly.
She glanced at Sabrina’s hand, still clutched protectively in Magnus’s. But her heart didn’t even ache anymore. She was just... done.
She turned and walked toward the exit. But just as she brushed past them, Magnus suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind.
“Chelsea, what’s with your attitude? Apologize to Sabrina. Now.”
His tone was sharp, his face dark. The anger in his voice was impossible to miss.
Even so, Chelsea looked up into his cold eyes—and felt nothing.
She had just now realized that when one's heart was deeply wounded, it was really possible to unlove someone.
“Why should I apologize?” she coldly asked.
“Because she’s right. Michaela is just a kid. Why are you being so petty with her?” He paused, then added, “And how could you talk to Sabrina like that? She just got harassed at the airport and hasn’t even recovered. Now you’re making it worse. So, apologize now.”
His grip on her tightened. The fury in his eyes looked like it was about to spill over.
So that was it. Sabrina had been harassed at the airport. That’s why he rushed off. That’s why he fought. That’s why he was hurt.
Chelsea glanced at Sabrina, whose eyes were now rimmed red with tears.
What a perfect performance.
A cold smile tugged at Chelsea’s lips.
So when Sabrina got hurt, he went ballistic. But when it’s his own wife being drugged at her birthday party, he plays along?
Love and indifference were never clearer than in this moment.
Chelsea clenched her fist. Then she yanked her arm away with all her strength. “You should focus on your injuries instead.”
Without looking back and saying another word, she walked out of the hospital.
Chapter 4
As Chelsea walked away, Magnus stood there frowning, his gaze locked on her retreating figure.
That was the first time... she'd ever talked back to him.
“Did I say something wrong?” Sabrina asked quietly, eyes red as she helped steady him.
Magnus gave her a reassuring pat. “No, don’t overthink it. Chelsea was the one out of line tonight.”
With that, he leaned on Sabrina and made his way into the ER.
Outside the hospital, Chelsea stepped into the chilly night. The streetlights flickered dimly above her as she pulled her thin jacket tighter around herself and got into her car.
When she arrived home, the villa was pitch black and silent. She stood in the doorway for a moment, breathing in deeply.
What she once believed was her safe haven… turned out to be a one-sided fantasy.
If that was the case, then maybe it was time to step away—let Magnus and Sabrina have each other.
She then washed up quickly and went to bed.
The next morning, when she woke up, Magnus still hadn’t returned.
When she checked her phone, she froze.
A message from Sabrina lit up the screen: [So what if you’re Mrs. Colon? The one Magnus has always loved is me.]
Attached to it were photos of Magnus fighting at the airport, holding Sabrina’s hand, and the two of them sleeping side by side, his arm protectively around her.
Chelsea’s eyebrows knitted together. She was about to delete it, but the bedroom door creaked open.
“Babe? You’re up early,” Magnus said as he stepped inside.
He walked over to the bed and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. But as he leaned down, the red scratch marks across his chest came into view—and they hit her like a slap to the face.
She could brush off Sabrina’s taunts. But those claw marks? That was something else.
“Babe, last night was my fault,” he said, voice soft and sincere. “Sabrina had just gotten back and already ran into trouble… I was worried. I didn’t mean to say those things to you, okay?”
He kissed the back of her hand and smiled. “I’ve arranged something for tonight. Just a small get-together—Sabrina, Michaela, a few of our friends. We’ll celebrate your birthday properly. And Michaela wants to apologize for pushing you yesterday.”
He looked into her eyes like he meant every word. But Chelsea felt nothing but cold.
Last night, after she left, she realized she had forgotten the medicine the doctor prescribed. So she drove back to the hospital.
That’s when she overheard them again.
Michaela’s voice had been anxious as she said, “Bro, the plan didn’t work last night. What now?”
Sabrina replied casually, “What’s the big deal? Just invite her out tomorrow, say it’s to apologize for the push, then slip her the drug then.”
Magnus didn’t even protest.
Chelsea didn’t stay to hear the rest. She just grabbed the medicine and left.
Now he was back, pretending nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t planned to ruin her.
“I don’t feel like going,” she said, her voice flat.
Magnus’s expression darkened for a second, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a warm smile.
“Come on, don’t be like that. Everyone’s already invited. Don’t ruin the mood, okay?”
He pressed a kiss on her forehead like nothing was wrong.
“…Fine. I’ll go,” she said. “But I’ll choose the place.”
Since he wanted her to go, she would go. Besides, she also had something she needed to do.
Magnus paused, surprised. But he nodded. “Alright. Send me the address. I’ll pick you up after work.”
As he walked away to get changed, he turned back at the door.
“Oh, and wear something nice tonight. It’s your 28th birthday. Don’t leave yourself with regrets.”
Watching his retreating figure, her heart didn’t ache anymore.
Chapter 5
Time flew by. Chelsea was still reviewing some documents at home when Magnus pulled up in his car to pick her up.
She tucked the papers into her bag and got in without a word.
The car ride was quiet, and before long, they pulled up to the KTV lounge she had chosen.
As soon as they stepped into the private room, the loud, pounding music made her instinctively frown.
“There you are, Chelsea!” Sabrina called out, quickly rushing over. “Come sit here!”
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Chelsea’s hand and led her right to the center of the room.
“They were supposed to welcome me back today,” Sabrina said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “but Magnus insisted on making it your belated birthday party. So here I am, just tagging along.”
She gave Chelsea a look filled with mock sincerity. “See how much Magnus loves you? I hope you don’t mind me being here.”
Chelsea scanned the room quietly. Nearly everyone in the booth was either a friend of Sabrina’s or Magnus’s. A soft, humorless chuckle rose in her throat.
So this was her birthday celebration? Looked more like Sabrina’s welcome party in disguise.
Just then, Michaela came over, holding two glasses of wine.
“Chelsea, I’m really sorry about yesterday,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to push you like that. Please don’t be mad.”
She extended one of the glasses toward Chelsea.
Chelsea’s eyes flicked from the drink to Magnus, who was lounging nearby, silently smoking. He didn’t say a word or make a move.
A repeat of the same trick.
She wasn’t that naïve.
“If you’re sincerely apologizing, Michaela, then of course I forgive you,” Chelsea said, smiling. “But how about this—if you're really sorry, drink three glasses yourself. Then we’re good.”
Michaela’s expression changed instantly. Her hand trembled just slightly.
So the drink was spiked.
Before the tension could settle, Sabrina cut in.
“Oh, come on, Chelsea. Michaela’s just a kid. Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far?”
She reached over and nudged the wine glass toward Chelsea again.
Chelsea stared at it for a long moment. Then her voice came out calm and clear.
“If she’s just a kid, then why don’t you drink it for her?”
“You—!” Sabrina froze, completely thrown off.
She hadn’t expected Chelsea to turn the tables so easily.
“Enough.” A cold voice rang out from the corner.
It was Magnus. He stubbed out his cigarette and slowly stood up.
“Chelsea, how long are you going to keep this up? Michaela already apologized. Why are you making things difficult?”
He stepped forward, his voice sharp and impatient. “Everyone’s here trying to give you a proper birthday, and this is how you act? Is this the kind of behavior your family raised you with?”
He reached out, took the wine from Sabrina’s hand, and gently pulled her behind him, shielding her like she was something precious.
“Drink it. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”
He placed the glass in front of Chelsea, his voice full of command and ice.
Chelsea looked at the drink, then slowly raised her gaze to the man she had loved for four years.
And in that moment, her heart shattered into pieces that she couldn’t gather anymore.
She checked the time. She had no desire to keep playing along with their twisted show. Without saying a word, she turned to leave.
But Magnus wasn’t done.
He grabbed her wrist, yanking her backward with force. As a result, she crashed onto the sofa, pain shooting through her.
Before she could react, he gripped her jaw tightly and forced the wine down her throat.
Chelsea choked, struggling, but his grip was iron.
No one stopped him. No one helped. Around her, people only watched, some amused, some indifferent.
Her vision blurred as the humiliation burned through her. And when the last drop of that wine was shoved down her throat, Magnus finally let go.
Gasping for air, Chelsea shoved him away with all her strength. She grabbed her bag and bolted for the restroom.
Chapter 6
After throwing up everything she could, until there was nothing left, Chelsea finally stopped. Her hands dropped to her sides, exhausted.
She stared at herself in the mirror—disheveled hair, smeared makeup, eyes red and glassy. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
'What exactly am I so upset about? Is it the three years I'd spent by his side? Or the foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, Magnus has a heart?' she wondered.
Deep down, she’d known tonight was a trap. A setup disguised as a celebration. But some small part of her still hoped that, after everything they’d been through, he would spare her some dignity.
But she was wrong.
Another look at her reflection, the mess caused by tears and struggle, and her heart clenched. The tears she’d held back finally spilled over.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed her makeup, straightened her outfit, and pulled herself together. Then, without looking back, she walked out of the bathroom and into a different private room.
The moment she opened the door, a deep, smooth voice greeted her.
“There you are, Miss Schneider. I was beginning to think you stood me up.”
She smiled politely. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Malcom. Something came up on the way here. To make it up to you, how about I drink three glasses as an apology?” She reached for a glass on the table, ready to down it, but the man sitting across from her gently stopped her.
“Please, there's no need for that. A gentleman should know how to wait for a lady,” Alaric said with a charming smile. “Let’s talk about the contract first.”
He pulled out a file from beside him and invited her to sit down.
They had known each other for many years and were good friends.Although later, his family had moved their business overseas.
Chelsea had only found out last night that he’d returned to the country. Remembering that her father still had overseas projects pending—and that this very KTV was part of the Malcom family’s holdings—she decided to reach out.
Their meeting went smoothly. The conversation was pleasant and productive. But just as Alaric offered to drive her home, trouble arrived—right at the entrance of the KTV.
“Oh my god, Chelsea! There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you!” Sabrina’s voice was loud and cheery as she rushed forward and grabbed Chelsea’s arm.
“You said you were going to the bathroom, but you never came back. Everyone was getting worried! Come on, everyone’s waiting for you!”
She tugged at Chelsea’s arm, trying to drag her back inside. But Chelsea stood her ground.
“If you all want to go back in, be my guest. I’ve got things to do—I’m leaving.”
She pulled her arm free and turned to get into Alaric’s car. But Sabrina quickly caught her again.
“Aw, come on, Chelsea. We were just messing around earlier. Don’t be so sensitive! Don’t ruin the mood for everyone, okay?”
She tried to pull Chelsea back again, but this time, Alaric stepped in. He caught Chelsea’s other hand and gently pulled her to his side. He noticed her reluctance, so he couldn't help but make a move.
“Miss,” he said to Sabrina, his tone calm but firm, “can’t you see she doesn’t want to go back in?”
That’s when Sabrina finally looked him in the face.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Malcom!” she said, her voice suddenly becoming much more polite.
“It’s nothing serious—just a little joke we played earlier. Chelsea got a bit upset, that’s all. We just came to find her so everyone could apologize, smooth things over.”
Still smiling, she tried once again to pull Chelsea away, but her efforts were futile.
Then Magnus appeared. He didn’t say a word as he walked up and grabbed Chelsea’s hand. With a little force, he yanked her straight into his arms.
“You—” Alaric started to speak, but held back.
“Oh, Mr. Malcom,” Sabrina chirped again with a sweet smile, “Don’t worry, it’s just a little lovers’ spat. They’ll be fine in a bit. You must be busy. Why don’t you go ahead and take care of your things?”
Without giving him a chance to respond, she reached over and opened Alaric’s car door, as if dismissing him.
Chapter 7
“Oh, come on, Chelsea! We were all just messing around with you. Let’s go back in and have some cake,” Sabrina said cheerfully, just as Alaric’s car disappeared around the corner.
She turned around and, with a gentle push, nudged Chelsea and Magnus back into the KTV. But the moment the private room door opened, Sabrina shoved Chelsea hard. She stumbled forward, nearly falling onto the floor, and by the time she turned around, the door had already been locked from the outside.
“Sabrina! Let me out!” Chelsea shouted, banging her fists on the door. But no one answered. The hallway outside was silent.
She had no idea how long she had been trapped in that room before the door creaked open again. But it wasn’t Sabrina. It wasn’t anyone she knew.
Instead, four men swaggered in—grimy, leering, and unmistakably thuggish.
“Well, would you look at that,” one of them smirked. “She’s a real looker.”
“Hah! Didn’t expect to get so lucky tonight. We get paid and we get to have some fun?”
“Next time something like this comes up, don’t forget to call me too, man…”
Laughing crudely, the four men started closing in on her.
Chelsea clutched her bag tightly, backing away step by step. Her hand trembled as she reached for the small knife she’d hidden there earlier—just in case. She’d only arranged to meet Alaric here so she’d have a way out. But things clearly didn’t go to plan.
Now, her last shred of hope was the blade in her shaking hands.
The men kept coming, forcing her all the way into a corner.
“W-What do you want?” she asked, voice barely steady.
“Relax, sweetheart. We’ll be gentle,” the one in front sneered, exchanging a look with the others. They then spread out and surrounded her.
“No need to be scared, baby,” he whispered. “Let me take you to heaven…”
He lunged at her.
But before he could grab her, Chelsea pulled the knife and slashed it across his arm.
“Damn, this one’s got claws!” he growled, but instead of backing off, he grinned wider, admiring the blood on his skin.
“I like ’em feisty,” he chuckled, then approached her with a grin plastered on his face, while also starting to unbuckle his belt. He then gestured to the others to tie her up.
The other three followed. They yanked the knife from her hands and pinned her down onto the couch. No matter how hard she struggled, she was no match for four grown men.
“Let me go!” she screamed. “If my father finds out, he’ll make you all pay!”
But they only laughed.
One of them started tearing at her clothes. “I’m begging you… please… just let me go…”
However, her pleas only fell on deaf ears. Her body shook as she sobbed beneath them, her last defenses literally being ripped away.
In the end, she closed her eyes in despair.
But just as the final shred of her dignity was about to be torn off, the door burst open with a loud crash.
