When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 565

**TITLE: HereSelf 565**

As James stepped out into the cool night air, a sensation akin to lifting a heavy boulder off his chest enveloped him. The weight that had been pressing down on him for so long finally dissipated, leaving him feeling strangely light, yet emotionally charged.

Tears brimmed in his eyes as he reflected on the impossibility of the moment he had just experienced. He, James, had actually laid eyes on the living Mr. Baron, a figure he had only heard whispers about in hushed tones. It was surreal that not only had he met the man himself, but his own son had been chosen as the final disciple of Mr. Baron’s wife. This revelation hit him like two meteors colliding in the night sky, leaving him momentarily breathless.

A flicker of hope ignited within him. If he could follow Mr. Baron, could it mean liberation from the shadows he had been living in? The thought of being able to visit Beth and his son, even if just for fleeting moments, filled him with a mix of longing and despair.

He found himself lost in thoughts of Beth, wondering how she was faring these days.

But as quickly as hope had surged, it faded, leaving behind a heavy sadness. His heart ached for Beth, the woman he had cherished deeply. Yet, he felt irreparably tainted, unworthy of her love. The guilt clawed at him, a relentless reminder of his failures.

With his head bowed low, James allowed the others to untie him, feeling the gentle hands of the family doctor as they tended to his wounds. Each touch felt like a reminder of the pain he had caused, both to himself and to those he loved.

Memories of the days spent with Beth flooded his mind, vivid and bittersweet. He couldn’t allow himself to hope for her forgiveness; it felt like a cruel joke. The truth remained: he had hurt his son, had been the architect of his suffering, and had betrayed Beth’s trust in the most abhorrent way.

He recalled Beth’s words, sharp and cutting, comparing a cheating man to a used sanitary napkin—something repulsive, something to be discarded. In her eyes, he had become that very thing, a symbol of betrayal and unworthiness.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, James felt no regrets. He had strayed down a path riddled with mistakes, dragging Beth and their son along with him. If given the chance to rewrite his choices, he would still choose survival above all else. Nothing mattered more than life itself.

And now, with Mr. Baron and his wife stepping into their lives, James found solace in the thought that perhaps Beth and their son would find happiness again, a happiness he felt he could no longer provide.

Meanwhile, Baron, oblivious to James’ internal struggle, removed his mask as he exited the dimly lit basement. The night sky was cloaked in darkness, and as he raised his hand to check the time, he noted it was already past midnight. He wondered if Natalie was asleep, or if she was waiting for him, perhaps worried.

Thinking of James’ desperate choices and how he and Beth had fallen apart, Baron felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. The world wasn’t fair; not every love story concluded with a happy ending.

He pondered his own fate with Natalie. Would they grow old together? Did she love him as deeply as she once loved Jensen? The specter of Jensen loomed large, a ghost from their past that haunted their present.

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