Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 141

Later that afternoon, Seren set out to explore another Riverbend City attraction, with Lennon as her companion.

Time always seemed to fly whenever she was with Lennon.

By the time they returned to the hotel, night had already fallen. It was nearly seven.

After a long, hot shower, Seren felt refreshed, her muscles relaxed and her mind clear. She settled into the lounge chair by the floor-to-ceiling window, letting the rhythmic sound of the river's tide ebbing and flowing outside lull her into calm.

She picked up her phone and scrolled through Instagram for a bit.

The buzz about her had faded; barely anyone was still talking about her anymore.

Instead, everyone's attention had shifted to Willa and Sheridan.

Out of habit, Seren scrolled up and tapped into the trending topics.

Sure enough, the number one trend was: #IntimatePhotosOfWillaAndStarlightCEOExposed#

She clicked in, and there they were—Willa and Sheridan, looking every bit the perfect couple in a series of candid, lovingly composed photos.

Seren glanced at them. Anyone could tell these photos were staged, taken from carefully chosen angles with obvious intent.

Willa was a complete unknown—there was no way the paparazzi would bother following her around.

No doubt about it, Willa had arranged for someone to snap the photos. She'd even paid to boost the post, using Sheridan's status to hype herself up.

The post was getting massive traction, with tens of thousands of comments already.

After all, Willa was a nobody who'd somehow landed a spot on The Talent Gauntlet, the season's hottest reality show, and gotten the best exposure and resources possible.

So, most people in the comments were convinced: Willa and Sheridan were dating.

And, of course, that Sheridan was the one pulling strings and getting Willa all her opportunities.

One anonymous user even posted a string of "evidence," claiming the two had grown up together.

Plenty of people were openly shipping them in the comments. Honestly, looking at the photos, the two did look good together—the classic tall, handsome CEO and the beautiful, demure newcomer.

And, if you believed the rumors, this was the real-life version of the "powerful tycoon and his darling" romance trope.

Suddenly, her phone started ringing.

Nadine's name flashed across the screen.

Her voice was light, completely free of bitterness, as if she were simply stating a fact.

Nadine sounded absolutely stunned.

"Seren, I'm starting to think you never liked Sheridan at all! If you really liked him, seeing him with Willa—even if you weren't heartbroken—you'd at least feel a little jealous, right? Like that sour feeling you get after biting into a lemon?"

Nadine had never been in a relationship herself. But after watching so many romance dramas, she figured she knew how these things worked.

Nobody gets over a relationship that quickly. Even if you're not wallowing in misery, there should be at least a period of sadness. Seeing your ex flaunt a new romance on social media? That's supposed to sting, not leave you unfazed, the way Seren seemed.

The only explanation left was: Seren had never truly liked Sheridan.

Seren went quiet, thinking it over. Leaving The Golden Age, leaving Sheridan—she hadn't felt anything at all.

If anything, she felt free.

Even when she saw those photos, even when she watched Sheridan shield Willa with that familiar protectiveness, there was none of the sour jealousy Nadine described.

But thinking back to yesterday, when she'd caught sight of Lennon chatting and laughing with the receptionist, she did feel that twinge Nadine had mentioned—her heart tightening, her mood turning sour, just like biting into a lemon.