Too Late For Regret, Mr. Montgomery

"Let's get a divorce."

Allie pressed the phone to her ear, speaking the words with flat, icy calm to her new husband on the other end.

Midnight in Seattle. Allie Morrow sat alone in the sprawling master bedroom of Cove Estate, still trapped in her million-dollar wedding gown.

Hours ago, right before they were supposed to exchange vows, her new husband-Julian Montgomery IV-had abandoned her at the altar. A single phone call was all it took for him to sprint out of the cathedral to rescue Christa Faulkner, his late best friend's widow.

Allie had become the biggest joke in high society. She hadn't had a drop of water all day, and now, left alone in the cold estate, her chronic stomach ulcer flared up with a vengeance, twisting her gut in violent cramps.

On the other end of the line, Julian's usually warm voice turned to ice.

"You want a divorce just because I left the ceremony to save Christa and Cody from a kidnapping? Allie, stop being dramatic."

Allie's lips curled into a cold smile. Christa had once saved Julian's life years ago. She was his untouchable first love. Ever since Liam died overseas six months ago and Julian flew out to handle the funeral, Julian had come back an empty shell. Allie had planned the entire wedding alone while he barely glanced at the three options she placed on his desk.

She hung up without another word, went into the bathroom to splash icy water on her face, and walked downstairs. At the landing, several live-in maids stopped talking and looked at her with open pity. Maria Davies, the senior housekeeper who had watched Allie quietly manage this house for three years, stepped forward.

"Mrs. Montgomery, you must be starving. I kept some warm stomach-soothing soup on the stove. Shall I bring you a bowl?"

"Thank you, Maria," Allie said softly.

Her fingertips had just brushed the back of the dining chair when the roar of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan engine died outside the front courtyard. The heavy double doors swung open. Julian strode into the foyer in his bespoke black tuxedo, carrying the chill of the autumn night. Behind him stood a petite woman with shoulder-length curls and a boy around four years old. When the woman offered a timid smile, two delicate dimples appeared on her cheeks. It was Christa Faulkner.

Julian wrapped an arm around Christa's shoulders, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur.

"Christa, Cody, this is your home from now on."

Catching sight of Allie's icy stare by the dining table, Julian spoke in a flat, matter-of-fact tone.

"Allie, this is Christa and little Cody. They'll be staying here for a while."

It was an order, not a discussion. The air in the living room went dead still. Christa immediately bit her lower lip, grabbing Cody's hand and taking a panicked step back toward the door.

"I'm so sorry, Julian. I shouldn't have called you... I completely forgot today was your wedding day with Miss Morrow."

She did not call Allie "Mrs. Montgomery." She deliberately used "Miss Morrow." In that single phrase, Allie caught the sharp hostility and possessiveness hiding behind Christa's watery eyes.

Julian didn't correct her. Instead, he caught Christa's arm, his voice impossibly soft.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know today was my wedding."

Standing by the long table, Allie watched her husband hold another woman's arm in their bridal home. The suffocating grip around her heart slowly froze into numb indifference. Christa looked at Allie with red-rimmed eyes, her voice trembling.

"But... this is your new home with Miss Morrow. How can I impose with a child..."

"There is no safer place in Seattle than with me," Julian said with an arrogant smile.

Christa lowered her lashes, sneaking a glance at Allie.

"Still..."

"No buts. I am the master of this house. If I say you can stay, you stay," Julian said, his brow furrowing as he settled the matter.

Allie let out a silent laugh. Three years ago, after signing their marriage certificate, Julian had driven her to this bayfront estate and promised that she was the mistress of this house, and everyone-including him-would listen to her. That lone sweet promise had made her heart race for days. Now, he reminded her who the real master was.

After settling the mother and son upstairs, Julian came back down, sat beside Allie, and habitually reached for her hand. Allie shifted her body away, dodging his touch completely.

Julian's hand froze in midair. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted.

"Allie, be reasonable. I'm exhausted from dealing with that kidnapping."

"I'm being unreasonable?" Allie's voice was razor-sharp. "If Liam's family was hunting them overseas, why didn't she hide abroad instead of flying straight into Seattle today just to get caught at the airport?"

Julian stiffened, caught off guard, before frowning.

"There are details I can't tell you right now. Are you jealous?"

He reached out and patted her head with smug confidence.

"Calm down. The title of Mrs. Montgomery belongs only to you. No one can threaten your position."

Upstairs, the guest room door clicked open. Christa leaned out, flashing her sweet dimples as her soft voice cut through the hall.

"Julian, is there anything to eat? Cody says he's hungry."