Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 261

Seren placed the phone back on the nightstand just as Lennon emerged from the bathroom. The hum of the hairdryer filled the room for a few minutes, and then silence. The main lights went out, leaving only the soft glow of the floor lamps.

The covers were lifted, and a rush of cool air swept in, but it was quickly replaced by the warmth of Lennon's embrace as he settled in beside her. The familiar scent of woodsmoke and shower gel enveloped her, a quiet yet potent presence that teased at her senses like a cat's paw. In the dim light and profound silence, every sensation was magnified, along with a swirl of chaotic emotions that danced around her heart.

Lennon's deep voice rumbled near her ear. "Not asleep?"

"Mm," she hummed, then decided to confess before he could ask. "I was thinking about that picture you sent me. Wondering if you were trying to lead me on."

She was never good at hiding her thoughts, especially from Lennon, who seemed to read her like an open book. It was better to just say it.

His arm tightened around her, his fingers gently stroking through her hair. "I was," he admitted. "And I also knew Kendal had feelings for you. I deliberately didn't say anything because I wanted Mrs. Crestwell to be the one to claim me in public, to call me her husband."

His voice was a magnetic whisper. "I have been trying very hard to get Mrs. Crestwell to know me, to accept me, to let me get close to you… in body and in soul."

He drew out the last few words, his tone heavy with an undisguised, fervent heat.

Seren suddenly understood. His intentions toward her had always been clear, laid out in subtle clues for her to find if only she had looked. But she had been so focused on keeping her distance, on running away, that she had missed it all. And through it all, he had been patiently, gently guiding her.

No one had ever been so patient with her.

She realized she liked him too much. His gentleness, his stability, his thoughtfulness—every part of him appealed to her. Her feelings for him were like spilt water, impossible to take back.

An overwhelming emotion swelled in her chest. She looked up, and his dark eyes were as bright and intense as a star-filled night sky.

Lifting a hand to his neck, she leaned in and clumsily pressed her lips to his.

With her other hand, she expertly dialed Edwin Montgomery's number. He had blocked her old one, so she was using a new one.

He picked up almost immediately. "Hello?"

"Edwin," Carla's voice was sickly sweet. "I'm on the roof."

"...Uh-huh?" came his lazy, mocking reply.

"You know what will happen to the Montgomery Group if I jump from here, don't you?"

Silence on the other end. Edwin's dismissive tone vanished, replaced by a sudden gravity. He knew the scandal of their leaked photos was already raging online. Right now, it was just celebrity gossip, a minor inconvenience for the company. But if Carla died, it would become a criminal case. The situation would spiral out of his control.