Your Regrets Mean Nothing To Me novel Chapter 2

Torin's revelation sent ripples through the comment section.

[She didn't just betray her non-biological sister—she turned on her own brother.]

[Whatever, they're all victims. Elysia deserves worse than hell.]

[To think Torin loved her so much, and she stabbed him in the back.]

The bright and warm family scene dissolved into darkness, leaving viewers momentarily disoriented. Only the steady rumble of an engine provided any sense of place or time. As confusion filled the chat with questions, a small voice broke through the darkness.

In the studio, Torin's lips curved into a bitter smile as the familiar sounds washed over him. Through the specialized VR glasses, he was experiencing that moment again, feeling every sensation just as clearly as he had years ago.

"That's where she abandoned me," he said quietly. "If the driver hadn't been distracted, I might never have made it out."

His raw pain touched everyone present. Even Fenwick, who rarely showed his older brother sympathy, softened.

"Let it go, Torin," Fenwick said. "Evil brings its own punishment. She doesn't deserve to be called our sister—we have Rowena now."

"You're right, Fenwick," Caellan jumped in. "That little snake got what she deserved. Karma caught up with her in the end."

*****

The memory continued unfolding in darkness. A second voice joined in—Torin, just regaining consciousness.

"Don't be afraid, Elysia," he murmured. "I'm here."

It had been Torin's eighth birthday. The kidnapper had taken advantage of the crowded celebration to snatch Elysia. Torin had spotted them and given chase.

"I'm so sorry," Elysia sobbed, her words echoing in the darkness. "If I hadn't gotten caught, you wouldn't have followed. You wouldn't have gotten hurt fighting him."

"This isn't your fault," he assured her. "I'll get us out of here."

The darkness gave way to dim yellow light after a series of sharp impacts. Metal scraped against metal as Torin worked a wrench from the truck into the door's seam. His hand reached through the gap, searching for the outside lock.

"What's that noise?" The driver's voice carried clearly to Elysia's ears. "Better check it out before those brats try anything."

Despite the driver's seat being so far from them, Elysia could hear every word with crystal clarity.

The viewers held their breath watching that sliver of light. In the studio, only Torin frowned. Something wasn't right—these sounds, these words from the driver, they were completely foreign to him.

[The door's open, but look at Torin's hand!]

[That cut looks nasty. Hope he got it treated.]

[The truck's stopping—run!]

The latch clicked open. Through the VR technology, the viewers were experiencing exactly what four-year-old Elysia had heard and seen, yet it differed drastically from Torin's recollection.

Even now, watching the scene unfold, he still couldn't understand the discrepancy—why he hadn't heard the driver's approach, why he'd simply assumed it was just a routine stop for a break.

The memory continued to play.

"Torin, you're bleeding," Elysia said, her small hands grabbing his sleeve.

[Here comes the betrayal—watch the little snake abandon Torin!]

[She should have been the one to disappear that day.]

[Don't worry, karma got her in the end. Talk about justice.]

"What's wrong?" Torin turned toward his sister. "We need to run first. We'll get help after."