Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 187

Carla arrived home.

Before she'd even stepped inside, she could hear the maids whispering just beyond the door.

"The eldest son's been so strange lately. He used to be so polite—always smiling at everyone he met."

"Yeah, now when I greet him, he just ignores me. I mean, I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything to upset him, right?"

"It's not you. He's just been in a bad mood these days. Doesn't matter who it is, he's the same to everyone."

"That's true. I was cleaning out the trash the other day and found a bunch of gifts Miss Carla had given him. Those were the things he used to treat like treasures, always keeping them on the highest shelf. Now he's just tossed them in the garbage."

"I always thought he had a good temper, but now I'm not so sure. He can turn on a dime."

Their voices were soft, but not so quiet that Carla couldn't hear the mocking laughter that followed. Each snicker landed like a slap across her face.

Swain had thrown out her gifts? The same gifts he once cherished, now in the trash—her kindness reduced to little more than gossip fodder for the staff.

Carla's eyes burned with humiliation and fury.

She'd hesitated over Edwin's proposal, telling him she needed time to consider. But now, all that hesitation was swept away by the sting of shame and anger.

She lifted her chin, smoothed her expression, and walked inside as if nothing was wrong.

The two maids tending to the withered plants at the doorway straightened up as she entered.

"Miss Carla," they greeted in unison.

Carla gave them a small, sweet smile and a graceful nod. "Is my brother home?"

"Yes, Miss. The second young master is in his room," one replied respectfully.

She placed the coffee carefully before him, her lashes fluttering as she looked at her brother. "I noticed how hard you've been working lately, running two companies at once. It must be exhausting."

Her words landed with surprising comfort.

No one else had seemed to notice his struggle—not Zena, not Thurman, not even Swain. Swain had hardly spoken to him in days, always wearing a frosty expression. When Slater tried to share his worries with Zena, she'd only remind him of the sacrifices she'd made during the Rutledge Group's transition, insisting her hardships had been far greater. Thurman, meanwhile, simply lectured him about how a real man should shoulder his burdens without complaint.

Slater wasn't looking for pity—he just wanted someone to understand. But until now, no one had.

Yet Carla, with just a few gentle words, managed to soothe the ache inside him. In this house, she was the only one who seemed to care.

He felt something soften in his chest.

He shook his head. "It's just a little more work than usual. I'll manage."

Carla spoke up again.