A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed! I am glad everyone loved the other chappie! Here's more!


Chapter 20: It's too late

I'm holdin' on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground.
And I'm hearin' what you say,
But I just can't make a sound.
You tell me that you need me,
Then you go and cut me down...
But wait...
You tell me that you're sorry,
Didn't think I'd turn around...
And say...

That it's too late to apologize.
It's too late...
I said it's too late to apologize.
It's too late.
Yeah!

I'd take another chance,
Take a fall, take a shot for you.
I need you like a heart needs a beat,
But it's nothin' new.
I loved you with a fire red,
Now it's turnin' blue...
And you say...
Sorry, like an angel
Heaven let me think was you...
But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize.
It's too late.
I said it's too late to apologize.
It's too late.

- "Apologize"- One Republic


Charlotte sat camly at her small fine crafted wooden table, sipping tea that the emperor of China had so kindly sent her. But what she was actually doing was processing what she had just seen. Her "adoring" husband taking advantage of the woman he had desired for so long. Yes, Charlotte never showed her emotions; she was as one would say an Ice Dutchess...but this broke her. She thought she was enough to satisfy Beckett...she even gave him a son. What more could the bloody man want! Apparently Charlotte's perfect life has come crashing down.

Charlotte took her last sip of tea, when Beckett came in. She put the teacup down and smirked with bitterness.

"Good evening my darling". He greeted as he kissed her cheek.

"Good evening Cutler". Charlotte greeted cooly, moving away from his touch.

"Are you alright"? Beckett was confused towards her behaviour.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be"? Charlotte kept her cool, but her patience was wearing thin.

"I am only concerned for your welfare, darling". replied Beckett moving closer to her.

"Really". replied Charlotte giving him an icy glare.

"Yes". Beckett kneeled in front of her. He looked into her eyes, but saw no emotion in them. Instead he saw pitch black, nothing at all. "You know I love you". His lips inches away from hers. Beckett wrapped his hand around her nape, bringing her body close to his. With one swift bold move his lips crushed with hers.

Charlotte pushed him away after five minutes, to breathe. She no longer felt passion or lust for his kisses, all she felt now was...disgust. She decided to question him on the bruise on his jaw.

"Cutler what happened to your jaw"? She tried to sound as sweet and naive as possible.

"I hit myself on accident". Beckett replied as if it didn't matter.

"I am sure you deserved more". Charlotte muttered under her breath.

"What"? Beckett asked confused

"Cutler please, I am not naive little wife! I saw it...everything! Charlotte yelled as she stood. Her blood boiling. "Don't you dare take me for a fool, because I am far from that! I gave you everything and yet this is how you show me you "love" me"!

Beckett just stood there, staring intently at charlotte. She was fuming inside, he could see it. But yet he said nothing.

"Are you not going to say anything"! Charlotte demanded. Beckett looked away, knowing he hurt her. But apart of him did not feel sorry at all. And the fact that he loved Charlotte, still did not change that he wanted Isabella. He cursed to himself. I was so close, but that idiot of a man had to barge in!

"I am sorry for what you saw".

"Don't...don't say that, because you don't mean it at all! I can see it in your eyes!" Charlotte went closer to him, and slapped him across his smug face. "Get out"! She started beating his chest "Get out"!

Beckett pushed her off, making her land on the bed and turned to leave. Before he opened the door, he turned to see her sobbing on the floor. He then realized he was losing everything even his perfect little wife, all for his lust of another woman...