Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 110

"You knew the truth all along, but you chose to stay silent. You're just like the rest—keeping your distance, shutting me out, even looking down on me."

Seren's voice faltered for a moment.

"There was a time, during those three years, when I pinned all my hopes on you. But in the end, you let me down—just like everyone else."

Those three years.

She had hoped that Swain, who supposedly knew everything, would be the one to understand her.

When she first arrived in Riverbend City, she'd wanted so badly for Swain to reach out, to say something—anything. Even a half-hearted word of comfort would have meant the world.

But he didn't say a single word.

Swain could see the disappointment burning in Seren's eyes.

He parted his lips, wanting to speak, but his throat closed up tight. Not a sound came out.

Back then, when Seren had tried to confide in him, he'd dismissed it as just another excuse.

He thought if he left her to fend for herself in Riverbend City, she'd face hardship, learn her lesson, and eventually come running back.

His lips trembling, Swain finally spoke, guilt thick in his voice.

"Seren, can you give me another chance?"

"I've given you all so many chances already."

"Remember what happened when I was eight? I fell into the lake and called out for help, but you all just turned away. That was the first time you left me behind. And I forgave you for it."

"Then it happened again. And again. And again. To you, I was always the one who could be left behind."

As Seren spoke, Swain's face turned ashen.

He could hear it in her voice—she was done. She was ready to cut ties, even with her own brother.

But he couldn't muster a single word of protest.

He remembered it all too well. When Seren fell through the ice at eight, his only thought was to run and avoid trouble.

Later, when Seren was punished, he kept quiet, afraid Zena would find out he was the one who'd taken Seren to the lake.

He knew she'd almost died, if not for the quick arrival of the paramedics.

For a while after that, guilt made him kinder to her. Those were the days when Seren would constantly trail after him, eager for his attention.

Seren was always like that—give her a little kindness, and she'd let go of any grudge, never holding anything against anyone.

And because she never blamed him, Swain eventually convinced himself the whole thing hadn't been such a big deal after all.

Over time, his guilt faded, until it was all but gone.

For the first time in a long while, Seren felt a quiet, steady reassurance—she wasn't alone.

Following behind Lennon were Susan and Hollis.

Susan's face was flushed with anger as she spoke up, her words ringing out clear and strong.

"Seren doesn't need your family's backing. The Brewer family stands with her as well."

At that moment, another powerful voice joined the fray.

"What? Am I dead already? Why shouldn't I stand up for Seren?"

Old Mr. Rutledge emerged from the side corridor, his hands still shaking with outrage. He'd just finished tidying up after the memorial and overheard Slater's shameless remarks.

Old Mr. Rutledge might have been old, but he wasn't senile.

Last night, when Nadine called and asked him to tell the Bradley family not to come, he'd suspected they must have done something truly unforgivable to Seren.

He'd already resented how little the Bradley family cared about his late wife's memorial over the years. Now, with Slater's latest stunt, Old Mr. Rutledge was furious.

"All these years, your family's thought pretty highly of yourselves."

"Well, if that's the case, don't bother wasting your time or energy on an old man like me anymore. I don't need you here, and I certainly don't want you around."

He turned, raising his voice to call, "Joyce, come here—show our guests the door."