\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 114\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 114\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet\u00a0<\/p>\n
65\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at Sebastian for a moment, my thoughts slow to catch up with what he\u2019d just said. Then I turned my gaze back to\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alec.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stood by the door, his brow raised in surprise. Even he looked taken aback by the name Sebastian had called him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, none of us spoke. I shook my head softly and turned back to Sebastian. \u201cSebastian, this is Alec. Hades\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
secretary.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked, as if snapping out of a daze. His hand went to his temple, rubbing lightly. \u201cOh\u2026\u201d he murmured, voice low and confused. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I must be seeing things.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened. I hated seeing him like this. Losing our parents had changed him, but losing Skylar had nearly broken him. When he was young, Skylar had always been his hero, his protector, the one person who made him feel safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And now, sitting here looking lost, Sebastian looked like that little boy again, the one who used to run after our brother, trying to keep up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I could say anything, Alec\u2019s phone rang. The sharp sound made all three of us flinch slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting, something flickering in his eyes before he sighed softly. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d he said, voice calm but faintly distant. \u201cI\u2019ll take this outside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, and he stepped out, closing the door gently behind him. The silence that followed was heavy, until Sebastian finally broke it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Violet, I didn\u2019t mean to mistake someone for Skylar. I don\u2019t even know what came over me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to him, smiling softly despite the ache in my chest. Reaching out, I took his hand, squeezing gently. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Sebastian, you\u2019re still recovering. It\u2019s normal to mistake someone for someone else.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He frowned, shaking his head slowly. \u201cN-no, it\u2019s more than that, there\u2019s just\u2026 something about him. Something that reminds me of Skylar. I felt it the moment he walked in. I can\u2019t explain it, but it\u2019s there,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked. My fingers tightened around his hand because I\u2019d felt it too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every time I was near Alec, there was this strange sense of calm, of familiarity, as if I was standing next to someone I\u2019d known all my life. It wasn\u2019t romantic, it was deeper than that. But that was impossible. Skylar was dead. We buried him years\u00a0<\/p>\n
ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled softly, forcing a smile. \u201cLet\u2019s not think about it, okay?\u201d I said, pushing the heaviness away before it swallowed us both. I lifted the fruit basket I\u2019d brought with me and grinned at him. I brought fruit. Let me cut you some apples, your favorite.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sebastian\u2019s expression softened, and finally, he smiled back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d he murmured. \u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took one of the apples from the basket and a small knife from the tray beside the bed, sitting down on the chair next to\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sebastian.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The knife glided smoothly against the skin of the fruit, peeling it in one long spiral before I began cutting it into neat slices on the small plate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Neither of us spoke. There was too much to say, too much that had been left unsaid. And maybe, neither of us knew where\u00a0<\/p>\n
11:02 Tue, Jan 6 M.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 114\u00a0<\/p>\n
to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n
EL 55 cuchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silence lingered, until Sebastian spoke. \u201cI didn\u2019t jump, Violet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hand stilled. The knife froze mid-cut, pressed halfway into the apple.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t look up. I just stared at the silver edge gleaming under the hospital light.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sebastian\u2019s voice grew smaller. \u201cViolet, I wouldn\u2019t jump. Please believe me. I don\u2019t care what people say about me, but\u2026 I\u2019m lucky for all the things you\u2019ve done for me. There\u2019s no way I would kill myself when I still have you. I wouldn\u2019t put you through that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something in my chest twisted painfully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A quiet laugh escaped me. I blinked rapidly as a tear slid down my cheek, and I wiped it away quickly with the back of my hand before setting the knife aside. I finally looked up at him and smiled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow little do you think of me, little brother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees. \u201cDo you really think your big sister would believe the words of others?\u201d Why would my amazing little brother ever do that? He knows too well that I\u2019d beat his ass if he did.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, he just stared at me, his lips slowly curving as that familiar, boyish smile returned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRight, I wouldn\u2019t want to get my ass beaten.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly. And besides,\u201d I added, eyes glinting, \u201cwhy would I think you jumped when the evidence clearly shows you didn\u2019t?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sebastian\u2019s smile faltered a little. He glanced down, fingers fiddling with the edge of the blanket. \u201cPeople think I jumped,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI saw the news\u2026 they\u2019re saying I jumped when they don\u2019t even know the truth. They\u2019re lying.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head, watching him before letting a smirk touch my lips. \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked up, confused. \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without answering, I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. I tapped on the screen and opened YouTube, scrolling to the video I\u2019d watched earlier that morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The video began to play, and instantly, a familiar face filled the screen, Sila\u0219.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even through the small phone display, he looked very handsome, with that smug, charming smile that made women swoon and men grit their teeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The female reporter beside him was practically glowing, eyes wide and dreamy as she asked, \u201cSo, Mr. Silas, has the issue been resolved?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silas turned his head toward her, his expression cool and confident. \u201cIt has. The truth about the student who was blamed for jumping has finally come to light, backed by a recording as proof\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The camera cut closer, catching the faint curve of his lips. \u201cThe investigation confirmed that five male students, James, John, Robert, Michael, and William, were responsible for pushing the boy out of the window. Their reckless stupidity nearly cost an innocent life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The reporter gasped softly before laughing. \u201cYou actually mentioned their names. Are you even allowed to do that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silas chuckled, his smile widening just slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. \u201cWho knows,\u201d he said, tilting his head, \u201cbut if they want to sue me for it, they can go ahead. I\u2019m always ready.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
11:02 Tue, Jan 6 Mw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 114\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help it, a tiny smile tugged at my lips. He never cared whose toes he stepped on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
89\u00a0<\/p>\n
65 victief\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beside me, Sebastian\u2019s eyes went wide in disbelief. \u201cYou\u2026 he\u2026 he\u2019s Silas,\u201d he stammered, pointing at the screen. \u201cSilas-the Silas, the top lawyer in the world!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to him, amused by his expression. \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sebastian\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cHow the hell did you get him to take my case?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hesitated, my fingers tightening slightly around the phone. That was a longer story than he realized. Sebastian must have noticed my silence because he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell me now, Violet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head slowly. \u201cNo, you\u2019ll find out eventually anyway. It\u2019s better if you hear it from me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tilted his head, watching me carefully. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Hades,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His brows furrowed. \u201cYour future husband?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, bracing myself. \u201cWell, you see\u2026\u201d I exhaled, rubbing my temple before finishing, \u201cHades is Matthew\u2019s father.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, he just stared at me, then his eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSebastian?\u201d I asked after a moment, reaching out to tap his arm. \u201cYou good?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked and finally blurted, \u201cFucking hell, Violet, you\u2019re marrying your ex\u2019s father?!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d I muttered under my breath. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026 one way to put it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Nights Burn With Regret \u2014 by Nathan Perez 114 \u00a0 Chapter 114\u00a0 Chapter 114\u00a0 Violet\u00a0 65\u00a0 I looked at Sebastian […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-craving-the-guardian-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28030\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}