Your Late Love Means Nothing Novel by Vale _ Novel




Your Late Love Means Nothing Chapter 01

Matthew Levine once said his mother, Amelia Levine, was a very difficult woman.
So after eight years together, Evangeline Reyes had never met his parents.
To win over Amelia, Evangeline pretended to be a staff member and staged a chance encounter. It worked. They hit it off and became unlikely friends despite the age gap.
Just as she finally worked up the courage to tell the truth, Amelia suddenly said, "You know what? My son, who's been hopeless with women, is getting married."
Evangeline's heart skipped a beat. She was about to speak when she saw a photo of Matthew with an unfamiliar woman.
"Mattie insisted on marrying her," Amelia went on. "Said if it wasn't her, he'd never marry in this lifetime.
"Take a look for me—what do you think of this girl?"
In the photo, he tilted his head slightly, eyes full of affection as he looked at the girl in his arms.
And the girl nestled against him, happiness written all over her face.
They looked perfect together.
Evangeline stared, disbelief flooding her face. Her fingers trembled. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Her mind flashed back to that very morning. Matthew had pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her neck, whispering against her ear.
The next second, Amelia's voice pulled Evangeline back to reality.
"I didn't agree at first. He'd never even dated before—then suddenly he brings someone home and says he's getting married. It shocked me."
"But later I found out this Nicole and Mattie were high school classmates. He had a crush on her back then. But she was focused on her studies and went abroad after graduation. He refused to date all these years—he was waiting for her.
"That silly boy flew abroad every single month just to see her. He kept it up for eight years and finally won her over. The moment he did, he brought her home, afraid she might regret it."
Amelia swiped through more photos.
Each one was hard proof that Matthew was seeing another.
Evangeline's face went pale. She stepped back, no longer able to hold herself together.
Memories surfaced from their eight years together. Matthew never posted her on Instagram and never introduced her to his family or friends.
She couldn't even drop by his office without scheduling it in advance.
She had complained and argued with him about it.
But he always answered calmly, "I don't post much on Instagram.
"As for my friends, you know my background. Most of them are spoiled rich kids. They mess around and don't respect women. I don't want you dealing with that.
"And work has to stay professional. I don't want personal matters affecting the company."
Eventually, Evangeline let it go.
In the past two years, she had hinted more than once about marriage.
But Matthew told her, "My mother is very strict. She's picky about who I marry. I don't want you getting hurt. Can you wait two more years?"
So, she waited and waited.
What she got instead was news that he was marrying someone else.
Evangeline felt like a complete fool.
She didn't hear anything else Amelia said, then made up an excuse and left.
On the ride home, she opened Nicole Houston's Instagram account that Amelia had sent her.
The very first post announced an upcoming wedding.
The photo showed Matthew on one knee, slipping a ring onto Nicole's finger. The caption read, "So someone really would spend eight years waiting for me."
Evangeline continued scrolling. Every post showed things Matthew had done with Nicole.
Three months ago, on Evangeline's birthday, he had been with Nicole, taking in the view of the Alps.
Six months ago, when Evangeline was hospitalized after a car accident, he had been in Santorini watching the sunset with Nicole.
One year ago, while Evangeline poured everything into planning a proposal, Matthew was under the northern lights in Iceland, confessing his love to Nicole for the 999th time.
Even earlier, they were caught in a shooting on the streets of London. Matthew had shielded Nicole with his body and taken a bullet for her.
Evangeline still remembered when he was rushed back on a medical flight, his clothes stained with blood. She had been terrified. She stayed by his side day and night, crying and begging him not to work himself so hard.
She had always believed he traveled abroad every month for work and that he missed important holidays because he was too busy.
Now, it all seemed laughable.
Her vision blurred with tears. Evangeline stepped out of the cab and looked at the home that once felt warm and safe.
She pushed open the door. Matthew was in the kitchen cooking. Her favorite barbecue ribs sat on the table.
"You're back, honey? Go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
Evangeline didn't move.
Matthew came out carrying baked salmon and gently stroked her head. "What's wrong? Your eyes are red. Did someone upset you?"
Evangeline opened the wedding photo.
"Should I be congratulating you?" she asked.

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