Reborn to Burn Them All novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Heather fell to the ground, her face blank.

Seeing this, Jonathan felt a twinge of regret, but recalling her unreasonable behavior, he simply said, “You need to calm down. With that he walke

away

Heather lay sprawled on the ground, her eyes fixed on his merciless retreating figure through tear–blurred vision. She ignored the pain from het bruised head–her heartbreak was far worse–and broke into heart–wrenching sobs.

Sophia rushed downstairs, feigning concern. “Heather! Oh my goodness, what happened? Did you hit your head? Does it hurt?”

Sophia gasped dramatically, “I just heard Jonathan’s voice! Was it him? Did he actually lay a hand on you? I won’t let this slide. I’m going to tear him apart right now!”

Sophia rushed over to help Heather up, her voice laced with feigned urgency and outrage, posturing as if she was about to tear Jonathan apart.

Heather clung desperately to Sophia’s hand, as if she’d found her only lifeline. “Sophia…” she choked out, then broke down completely, burying herself in Sophia’s arms and sobbing her heart out, finally letting all her pain pour out.

Sophia’s expression turned icy, her gaze chilling as she let Heather cling to her. “Jonathan hit you over his bastard–clearly, that kid means more to him than you do. Face it, Heather, you’ve lost.”

Heather’s sobs hitched. Sophia continued coldly, “That woman may be gone, but she left behind a child. And let’s face it–the living can never compete with the dead.”

That cursed phrase haunted Heather’s mind like a spell, replaying endlessly and plunging her deeper into despair. Jonathan’s actions had truly shattered her heart.

Heather thought about all those years of keeping up appearances. She nearly convinced herself of this carefully crafted illusion of a perfect marriage.

“Yeah, the living can never compete with the dead,” Heather said with a bitter, self–mocking smile, tears streaming down her face. She thought, ‘If just a lookalike is enough to make Jonathan obsessed, what would happen if the real one came back?‘

Sophia continued to twist the knife. “Heather, do you know what kind of love is the hardest to forget? It’s the one you can never have.

“Mireille was Jonathan’s first love. Wilbur’s mother was his passionate lover. Both women appeared in his life only briefly, in the prime of their youth. That’s why, to him, they’ll always remain perfect–untouchable ideals frozen in time.

“So what if you bore him five children? Love can’t be forced. You should know better by now. How much longer are you going to keep lying to yourself?”

Heather’s heart gave a painful jolt. Subconsciously, she reached up to touch her face. No skincare treatments or cosmetic procedures could preserve her youth. Those two women were barely in their early twenties, frozen in Jonathan’s memory at the height of their beauty.

Heather shoved Sophia aside and stumbled to the mirror. Staring at her aging reflection, she let out a choked sob and covered her face. In a fit of rage, she grabbed something and smashed the mirror to pieces. “What should I do?” she wailed.

Leaning against the door, Sophia said, “Jonathan told you to calm down, didn’t he? So just calm down and ask yourself what you really want. Honestly, if his heart isn’t with you, what’s the point of being with him?

“Have you forgotten? You’re no longer young, and neither is he. As long as you hold the Chandler family’s financial reins, what is there to be a‘

“With your money, you could have any young hottie you want. There are plenty of fish in the sea–why obsess over Jonathan?

f7

“Seriously, what do you even see in him? His age? That musty old man smell? Or the lingering perfume of other women? Why bother? But if you’re hell- bent on sticking with him, just pretend I never said a word.

“Jonathan can only hurt you because you let him,” she said. “My final advice, you can’t truly love anyone until you love yourself first. Nothing matters

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Chapter 129

more than your own well–being.

“Ugh, I’m starving. Let’s eat already,” Sophia rolled her eyes and headed off to get some food.

Heather fell silent, staring at Sophia’s carefree, retreating figure, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. The marriage she fought so hard for had trappol for thirty years. She wasn’t sure if she could let it go.

After dinner, Sophia lounged on the couch watching a reality show featuring two of Howard’s teammates–Darnell and Ray.

Darnell was mature, steady, always composed, and handsome, but nothing about him really stood out. In showbiz, guys like him were a dime a dozen, which was why he’d never quite made it big.

Ray, with his trendy silver–gray curls, was the quintessential puppy–like heartthrob–the type who’d burst into tears at the slightest provocation. Howard’s fans often trolled him for this, mocking him for being too soft or calling him effeminate.

On the show, Ray got into an argument during a challenge and started crying. He kept completing the task through his tears, and when he spotted Darnell, he nearly broke down–his adorably pitiful expression was downright hilarious.

Just then, Yvette walked in. “Hey, Sophia!” she greeted cheerfully.

Sophia glanced at her and ignored her. Yvette’s eyes were sparkling with infatuation, her whole demeanor radiating lovesick excitement.

Yvette, clearly itching to show off, sauntered up to Sophia with a smug grin. “Guess who just gave me a ride home?”

Sophia lounged with her hands on the coffee table, idly munching on shelled nuts, her eyes glued to the TV.