Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 82

Carla was young and still learning, so it was perfectly natural for her to make mistakes.

Who hasn't messed up? As long as she knows where she went wrong and tries to make it right, there's no reason to keep holding it over her head.

Slater gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Don't be upset about it. Just make sure you don't do it again next time."

He added, "I know you didn't mean to cause trouble. Don't worry—I'll have someone look into it tomorrow. We'll get you a bracelet just like the one you lost, or at least something very similar."

Carla nodded carefully, afraid to say another word.

To be honest, she was far more anxious about displeasing Slater than she was about upsetting Swain.

Swain, no matter how much he disliked someone, would always keep up appearances and rarely let things get ugly.

Slater, on the other hand, wore his feelings on his sleeve. His loyalties and grudges were clear-cut—if he liked someone, he'd move mountains for them; if he didn't, he'd shut them out completely.

*

Seren left the event hall with Nadine and Susan.

On the way out, Susan suggested that Seren bring Lennon over to the Brewer family's place for dinner. Seren, ever polite and agreeable, readily agreed.

She had already been planning to find a time to visit the Brewers with Lennon—a proper visit was long overdue.

Susan had doted on her since she was little. Whenever she bought something for Nadine, she'd always pick up a little something extra for Seren and have it sent over to Rutledge Manor.

Seren never forgot that kind of kindness; she was the kind of person who always remembered to repay a debt of gratitude.

After a brief exchange at the entrance, Nadine and Susan made themselves scarce, leaving Seren alone.

She messaged Lennon on WhatsApp to let him know where she'd be, then waited for him in a quiet, out-of-the-way corner.

She picked such an obscure spot because she didn't want to run into any acquaintances she'd rather avoid—especially with so many people still streaming out of the venue.

Seren's smile widened. "You've got a great memory—and amazing eyesight, too. I read this story online the other day, about couples who met and married in a hurry. They'd only been married a month, and already, if they passed each other on the street, they wouldn't even recognize each other."

She chuckled. "Maybe those stories are exaggerated, but I bet it really happens sometimes. When you marry someone you barely know, you're still strangers, even after the wedding. With no real connection, life just goes back to normal—work all day, barely seeing each other except for a quick hello in the morning and goodnight in the evening."

She hesitated for a moment, then added, "And when you do see each other, it's so awkward—you almost feel like you're walking on eggshells, and even looking at each other for too long gets uncomfortable."

Truthfully, the only reason she could always pick Lennon out of a crowd was because he was so striking—tall, handsome, impossible to overlook.

If her husband had been just another average-looking man, she wasn't so sure she'd be able to spot him so easily.

Seren had always been a bit shallow, drawn to beautiful things and quick to remember a good-looking face.

The evening breeze carried the faint sound of crickets. Lennon's voice, deep and unhurried, blended into the soft night.

"All these years," he said, "I've always kept an eye out for Mrs. Crestwell. So recognizing you? That's the easiest thing in the world."