By the Time I Regretted, It Was Over — Novel

About

In a world where love twists into something dark and unrecognizable, Elysia finds herself trapped in a cruel game of power and betrayal. Every night, she kneels at the foot of her husband Alaric's bed, a silent witness to his infidelity with his secretary, Arianne. Their twisted relationship is a constant reminder of a life once filled with warmth and protection—a life that now feels like a distant memory. As Elysia endures humiliation after humiliation, a burning question lingers: when will she finally reclaim her voice?

The stakes rise dramatically when the ghost of Seraphine, Alaric’s beloved sister, looms over their lives. Elysia holds a secret connection to the truth behind Seraphine’s tragic death, a truth that could shatter everything she knows. As Alaric’s fury ignites, demanding answers she refuses to give, Elysia must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and revenge. With every confrontation, the tension escalates, and a single thought haunts her: how much longer can she endure before the chains binding her shatter?

As Elysia weighs her choices, the question remains: what price will she pay for freedom? With Alaric's desperation growing and Arianne's manipulation lurking in the shadows, the time for silence is running out.

By the Time I Regretted, It Was OverChapter 1

Every time my husband brought his secretary into the bedroom, he made me kneel at the bedside and wait—like a servant awaiting orders.

If the secretary fumbled or hesitated, he'd coldly gesture to me.

"Show her how it’s done," he'd say.

So I did. Step by humiliating step.

I waited quietly until they were finished, then rose to serve them tea and water as if nothing had happened.

One night, Alaric gripped my neck tightly.

"Aren’t you jealous?"

I calmly shook my head. I even laid out the contraceptives for them in advance, making sure everything was in order.

He snapped.

He threw me onto the bed, rage consuming him.

He punished me over and over again until morning light crept through the curtains.

And still, when the sun rose, I knelt at the foot of their bed again—silent and obedient.

He looked at me like I was something vile.

"Elysia," he growled, "you’re such a fucking bitch."

I only smiled at him.

Because he didn’t know—

This was the last time I would ever kneel for him.

——

When I got home that night, the scene on the sofa was all too familiar.