Too Late for Love

Diana's POV

"Mrs. Kane, are you absolutely certain? You're entitled to half of everything."

My divorce attorney asked me this question for the third time. He clearly didn't understand my choice.

"I only want custody of my daughter. Nothing else matters."

I stared at the divorce papers in front of me, which stated that I voluntarily waived all property rights except for Vera's custody.

"Mrs. Kane, this kind of decision..."

"There's nothing more to discuss." I cut him off. "Leonard will agree. After all, in his eyes, my daughter and I are just burdens."

Six years ago, I married Leonard Kane because of his grandmother's dying wish. The old woman lay in her hospital bed, clutching my hand and saying, "Diana, please take care of my grandson."

I agreed to that kind old woman's final request.

But Leonard had always believed I was taking advantage of the situation, trying to climb the social ladder. He said I manipulated his grandmother's emotions.

For six years, no one knew we were married, or that we even had a five-year-old daughter.

After all, who would believe that the renowned Dr. Kane and an ordinary nurse were husband and wife? And who would know that I had been secretly in love with him all this time?

But none of that mattered anymore. Everything was about to end.

I put the documents in my bag and headed straight to the hospital.

In the staff parking garage, Leonard was getting ready to leave, his white coat draped over his arm.

"Leo, we need to talk—"

He frowned the moment he saw me. "Whatever it is can wait. I'm in a hurry."

I tried to grab his arm, but he immediately shook me off.

"Don't forget our agreement, Diana."

Our secret marriage agreement. No intimate behavior at the hospital.

For six years, I had strictly followed this agreement. But all it earned me was his increasingly cold attitude.

Just then, a silver sports car pulled up and stopped in front of us.

Celeste stepped out of the car and rushed straight to Leonard, embracing and kissing him.

"Leo, darling! I've been waiting for you forever. You CAN'T miss my premiere celebration."

Celeste was Leonard's first love. She was a famous ballet dancer who had gone abroad for her career and broken up with Leonard a few years ago.

Now she was back. Leonard was gentler with her than with anyone else.

I watched their intimate display, feeling a sharp pain in my chest.

Celeste noticed me. "And this is...?"

Leonard didn't even glance my way. "This is Diana. She works here. Just a colleague."

Celeste giggled and linked her arm through Leonard's. "Well then, let's go. The celebration is about to start."

Leonard nodded and got in the car with her.

I watched them drive away, thinking to myself: "Diana, what exactly are you hoping for?"

"You should have known long ago that he would never love you."

I pulled out my phone and texted Leonard: Tomorrow night at 7 PM, Vera has a dance recital.

I stared at the screen, waiting for a reply.

As usual, there was no response.

I put my phone back in my pocket, took a deep breath, and walked toward the hospital building.

The next day after work, I went to pick up Vera from dance class.

She ran over excitedly the moment she saw me. "Mommy! Today is family performance day! I'm going to dance 'Little Swan'!"

Looking at my precious girl, my heart warmed, and all my troubles seemed to fade away.

"Baby looks the most beautiful today!"

"Mommy, is Daddy really going to watch me dance?" Vera looked at me hopefully.

She had never seen her father attend any of her activities.

My throat tightened. "I'm sure he'll try his best, sweetheart."

I lied. But I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth.

At seven PM, backstage at the recital venue.

Vera wore a white ballet tutu, practicing her moves repeatedly in front of the mirror.

"Mommy, am I pretty? Daddy will like it, won't he?"

"The most beautiful little princess."

"When will he get here?" Vera kept looking toward the door.

"Soon, baby."

Other parents gradually arrived, with children excitedly holding their moms' and dads' hands. Only Vera was still waiting.

Leonard's phone finally rang.

"Surgery got delayed. I'll get there as soon as I can."

Vera jumped for joy when she heard the news. "See? Daddy's coming!"

She excitedly adjusted her costume. "Mommy, I'm going to dance the most beautifully EVER!"

The performance began.

First act, second act, third act...

Leonard still hadn't come.

Vera was about to go on stage. She stood in the wings, constantly scanning the audience.

"Mommy, where is Daddy sitting?"

"Wait a little longer, he might be stuck in traffic."

"Diana, it's your daughter's turn," the teacher reminded me.

Vera looked disappointedly at the empty auditorium. "Mommy, Daddy really can't make it, can he?"

I knelt down and hugged her. "It's okay, baby. Mommy will watch you from the audience."

Vera's eyes filled with tears, but she forced a smile. "Yeah, having Mommy is enough."

She walked onto the stage and began her performance.

I sat in the audience, watching my poor daughter.

Leonard had never been willing to acknowledge Vera's existence. After our marriage, we maintained a respectful distance until one night a year later when Leonard came home drunk, and I took care of him. That night, we conceived Vera.

But when Leonard sobered up, he thought I had deliberately gotten him drunk, trying to trap him with a child. From then on, he was cold toward Vera too.

I pulled out my phone to contact Leonard again.

A notification from Celeste's Instagram popped up on the screen.

Photos from a charity gala. Leonard stood beside Celeste in a black tuxedo, intimately clinking glasses.

The caption read: "Perfect evening with the most important person."

So Leonard didn't have a delayed surgery. He simply chose to accompany Celeste to the gala.

On stage, Vera completed her entire performance alone. No father's applause, no father's embrace.

After the show, she ran down and threw herself into my arms.

"Mommy, did I dance well?"

"The most amazing little swan."

"It's too bad Daddy missed it." Her voice was small, but without complaint.

I held her tightly, tears almost falling.

Back home, I took the divorce papers out of my bag and signed my name on the last page.