Nights Burn With Regret — by Nathan Perez 21

She had to tilt her chin up just to meet my eyes. Nora was shorter tan most women, maybe 4’5, at best. Every time she spoke to me, she craned her neck like it made her more intimidating. But it ever did. It just made her look like she was trying too hard. 

I ignored her, and stepped into the room I once shared with Matthew. 

1/4 

+25 Bonus 

It didn’t feel like a bedroom anymore. Well, not mine, anyway. I spotted my old suitcase by the wall and brought it down. The zipper creaked as I opened it. Then I walked to the closet, and start packing. 

One by one, I folded my clothes. Only the ones I bought. Anything Matthew ever gave me, I left behind. 

I could feel Nora behind me before I even heard her. 

“What is this?” she scoffed. “Another pathetic attempt to get Matthew to notice you?” 

When I didn’t answer, she kept going. “Do you really think he cares if you leave? I don’t know why you keep humiliating yourself for someone who’s not even interested. Why can’t you jus, leave him alone?” 

I kept folding. 

One breath at a time. 

Ignore her. Don’t feed the fire. That’s what she wants. 

I could feel her frustration growing. 

The silence was more infuriating than any shouting match could’ve been. 

“You must be so angry that you allowed another man to take you away last night. But I know the kind of girl you are. You probably chickened out. You are too obsessed with Matthew to actually let anyone else touch you.” 

I froze for half a second. But it was enough for her to smirk. 

“That shirt you’re wearing, you probably bought it, so you could pretend it was another man’s. You are trying to make Matthew jealous. You’re so easy to read.” 

My fingers tightened around the fabric in my hands, but I took a breath, zipped up the suitcase, and stood up. 

I walked past her, and made it to the stairs, ready to leave it all behind. I wanted to just get through the next few hours, go to my uncle’s, and deal with whatever mess came next. 

Her fingers clamped around my wrist. I stopped, and slowly turned 

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, voice low. 

She smirked. “You didn’t notice what I’m wearing, did you?” 

I looked her over. 

“As you can see,” she purred, “I slept in Matthew’s room last night. I was so heartbroken over what happened that he let me stay to comfort me. One thing led to another, and well…” She leaned in, her voice dropping. “We didn’t sleep at all. He was so good, Violet. So big, and perfect. You’ve been enjoying it all these years, haven’t you? Now it’s my turn.” 

Her eyes sparkled, and I looked at her and smiled. 

Oh, of course I knew how big and good he was, he used to be the only man I ever let inside me. But after Hades showed me what heaven really felt like, I seriously doubted anyone could compare. 

“Congratulations to you, Nora,” I said gently. That wiped the smirk off her face. 

“What?” 

“And oh,” I said softly, pausing halfway down the stairs. “Before Iorget…” 

I turned and shoved her. Nora’s eyes went wide, genuinely shocked as her balance faltered. She hadn’t expected it from me. And just before she could fall, I caught her wrist. 

She gasped, staring at me like I was a stranger. 

I pulled her up toward me, our faces inches apart. She was breathing hard, her body tense. 

2/4 

Sungrot kabinet to you Nove 

+25 Bonus 

“How does it teel to finally be on the other side?” 

She hissed. “How dare you 

I let her stumble back a step. 

“” 

She yelped, arms flailing, but I didn’t let go. 

“If I were you,” I said sweetly, smiling, “I’d keep my mouth shut. 

She clenched her jaw, biting her lip. Her hands trembled in mine. 

She was scared. And I couldn’t help it. It thrilled me to see her like this for once. 

I leaned closer, voice like a whisper against her ear. “And who says I’m not wearing another man’s shirt, Nora?” 

Her body went stiff, and her eyes flew wide. 

Footsteps echoed from below. 

“Miss Violet?” Sofia called. 

I looked down to see her staring up at us from the base of the staircase. 

Without blinking, I tugged Nora forward and shoved her down beside me. She landed hard on her knees with a small cry, catching herself on her hands. 

“I was just having a conversation with her,” I said, walking down the stairs, ignoring the pathetic look on Nora’s face behind 

Sofia looked at me quietly. She glanced at the suitcase in my hand, then at Nora curled on the floor above. 

She didn’t say anything, but I could’ve sworn there was a faint smile on her lips. 

“I brought Tiger,” she said softly. 

At the sound of his name, my heart tugged. 

Tiger. 

My boy. 

The one gift Matthew gave me that had never disappointed me. A Newfoundland massive dog. The only creature who ever loved me without conditions. 

The moment he saw me, Tiger barked joyfully and bounded forward, his huge, fluffy body practically knocking me over as he jumped up and licked my face with enthusiasm. 

I laughed as I fell to the ground, his tongue all over my cheek. “Good boy, Tiger, I’m excited to see you too.” 

He barked again, his tail wagging like he understood everything. 

I sat up slowly, petting his big head. “Dogs are really better than humans.” 

I stood up and grabbed his leash. 

“Do you want to go with Mommy, Tiger?” 

He barked louder, it was his way of saying yes. 

“Let’s go,” I told him, gripping the handle of my suitcase. “Let’s have this place. We don’t belong here anymore.” 

As I turned toward the door, I glanced up one last time. Nora still s on the floor, pale and shaken. When our eyes met, she flinched. 

I walked away with my dog, and my suitcase. 

3/4 

This wasn’t just me leaving a house. This was me closing the door on an ill-fated relationship. 

P