Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 131

Seren followed Lennon to the far edge of the beach, where the sand was still damp from the lingering touch of the tide.

Lennon spoke softly. "Put your hand on the sand."

"Okay."

As soon as she pressed her right hand into the sand, a wave swept over, cool and gentle.

The chill of the water washed across her skin, and Seren's back stiffened. Her body tensed up, almost involuntarily, as old, unwelcome memories flickered through her mind.

Then a warm, broad hand enveloped her left.

She turned her head.

Lennon's steady palm wrapped around her fingers—warm, sure, reassuring.

Slowly, the tension seeped out of her shoulders. Only then did Lennon quietly let her go.

Another wave rolled in, soft and light, glimmering with flecks of sunlight that danced like tiny sprites atop the water. As the tide retreated, it left nothing but silence and the fine, wet sand.

Seren let the waves rinse her hand, then dug beneath the moist pebbles and unearthed a seashell, its pale violet hue reminiscent of a midsummer sunset.

She'd been crouching too long; her legs tingled with pins and needles. As she pushed herself up, a steady hand appeared at her side, subtly helping her to her feet.

She turned and met Lennon's gaze—his eyes deep and calm, her own reflection swimming in their depths.

Seren stared into those beautiful eyes. After a moment's silence, she finally spoke.

"Three years ago, after graduation, I came to Riverbend City on a trip. At The Oceanfront Boardwalk, I accidentally fell into the water. The man who saved me was Sheridan—the one you met this morning."

"So after he was paralyzed, that's why you came to Riverbend City to take care of him?" Lennon asked gently.

Seren nodded.

She didn't need to explain further; Lennon had already figured it out.

Her secrets, so carefully guarded, had been seen through with almost no effort.

After the initial surprise, she felt a quiet warmth—a strange comfort in being understood.

Seren curled her fingers slightly.

She'd never told anyone about nearly drowning—only Zena, Sheridan, and a few others knew.

She'd never wanted to worry her family, always one to share only good news. But when she'd been rushed to the hospital, the doctors, following protocol, had called her family.

By the time she woke up in a regular hospital room, Zena was already calling on video chat.

There was no comfort, no relief at her survival—only a torrent of blame and anger.

Zena scolded her for being a troublemaker, saying she'd never gone a day without worrying the family.

Thurman stayed silent, but his eyes were heavy with reproach.

Swain lectured her—"A wise person doesn't stand beneath a crumbling wall"—scolding her for being reckless and thoughtless.

Slater just snorted, "Trust you to fall in and still make it out alive. Guess bad pennies really do turn up."

Carla, ever naïve, asked if she'd fallen in on purpose, just to get everyone's attention and sympathy. "How convenient you were rescued right away and rushed to the hospital. Was it all just an act?"

When the barrage of criticism finally ended, they hung up. Only Swain bothered to visit Seren at the hospital, and even then, he just glanced at her, said a few words, and left.