Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 95

Seren hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she nodded.

With her answer, Lennon pulled her into his arms.

He held her tightly, his chin buried in her hair.

Seren froze.

She felt the heat of his skin where they touched, and his breath was steady and close against her ear.

She glanced down; the black of his coat made his neck look all the paler and more graceful.

She was almost never this close to anyone. Instinctively, she straightened her back, her hands hovering in the air, unsure what to do.

Lennon's voice was low and restrained, his words brushing the shell of her ear.

"Hiding your pain all these years must've been hard, hasn't it?"

Seren blinked, thrown off for a second. She shook her head.

"It was hard before, but now that I've said it out loud, it's not so bad."

"It's not healthy to bottle things up, even if you don't say them out loud. Next time you feel hurt, talk to me. Don't keep it to yourself."

"Okay."

He never once said the word "sorry," but every sentence was full of tenderness.

His embrace was warm, the faint scent of cedarwood lingering at her nose—familiar and safe, something she could lean on.

All at once, Seren relaxed, letting her chin rest on his shoulder.

Her hands dropped naturally, fingers grazing his waist through the fabric of his shirt, feeling the warmth beneath.

Outside the car window, a tall sycamore tree stood guard. The wind picked up, and yellowed leaves broke free, spinning toward the pavement.

For a moment, everything stilled, the scene painted in thick, vivid strokes.

Time slowed. The world went silent.

Seren had never been greedy, but in this moment, she wanted to hold onto this quiet tenderness, to let it last forever.

Feeling her melt into him, Lennon only held her tighter.

The car started up, and Lennon didn't ask why she'd ended the call.

Seren didn't say anything either. She knew Lennon was on her side, and maybe that's what made her feel so bold, so safe.

While they waited at a long red light, Lennon spoke in his usual calm tone. "Granddad said he's gathering the whole family out front to greet us when we get home. Says it's your first time visiting as his granddaughter-in-law, and he wants to show how much he cares."

"That's... really not necessary."

A flush rose to Seren's cheeks. Just imagining the scene was enough to make her toes curl with embarrassment.

Lennon caught the hint of pink on her face from the corner of his eye, and the stern lines of his features softened, like an iceberg melting in an instant.

He glanced at her, a deep smile flickering at his lips, teasing her just a little. "Don't worry. I told him you grew up painting with Mr. Shaw and that you're not the most social person. If he goes overboard, he'll just scare you off."

Seren managed a sheepish grin.

She probably wouldn't run for the hills, but she would be awkward and tongue-tied for ages.

After so many years alone, crowds made her nervous. Social situations left her feeling lost.

Lennon must've seen her tension, because he started to explain who she'd meet at the old house, and how the family fit together.