Everest's Guardian Hubby Watched Me Freeze My Ghost Knows Where He'll Burn novel Chapter 43

Chapter 3

That night, I lay curled beneath the soft covers, my fingers absentmindedly scrolling through my phone’s screen while Sean’s arms encircled me from behind, holding me close. The quiet hum of the city outside was a distant murmur, but inside, the warmth between us felt like a fragile sanctuary.

Suddenly, a message notification popped up from Brittany.

“Holy shit! Lanie! That Heart of the Ocean necklace Sean bought at the charity gala last week—surely that’s for you, right?!”

Attached was a crystal-clear photo.

The image showed a breathtaking sapphire necklace, its massive gemstone sparkling brilliantly under the bright lights, catching every glimmer and reflection with dazzling intensity.

My mind flashed back to the necklace Sean had gently fastened around my neck earlier. It was beautiful, no doubt—delicately crafted and elegant—but it was nothing like the grandeur of the one in that picture.

So, that necklace… wasn’t meant for me.

A cold, bitter ache settled deep in my chest, spreading slowly through my limbs until they felt numb and distant. I bit my lip hard to hold back the tears threatening to spill, but the subtle movement roused Sean from his sleep.

He sensed my quiet sobs and let out a soft, tender sigh. Gently, he rolled me over to face him and began showering my cheeks with gentle kisses.

When his lips brushed against the dampness left by my tears, he whispered softly, “I’m sorry, baby. I made you cry again.”

That was Sean—flawed, complicated, but always somehow knowing exactly how to reach me, how to break through the walls I built.

***

The next morning, Sean’s side of the bed was empty. The room felt colder without his presence, the silence heavier. Not long after, a courier arrived, carefully handing me a white cocktail dress wrapped in tissue paper.

My phone buzzed, and Sean’s deep, familiar voice filled the room.

“Morning, sleepyhead. You awake? I need you to come with me to an event tonight.”

I hesitated, unsure.

He chuckled warmly, trying to ease my nerves. “Don’t worry, it’s just a birthday party for a friend’s son. Nothing fancy.”

In the end, I slipped into the dress. The fabric felt smooth against my skin, the cut flattering but understated.

She stopped directly in front of me, her eyes flickering down to the necklace I wore.

“Miss Brooke, that necklace looks lovely on you. I suppose I did pick the right one after all.”

My body froze. A chill ran through me, cold and sharp.

Charlotte continued, her voice light and sweet as if she hadn’t noticed my face drain of color.

“Sean’s hopeless at this kind of thing. Typical guy, you know?”

“He mentioned wanting to get you a gift, so I thought I’d save him the trouble and pick something out myself. I hope you don’t mind?”

The words dripped with mockery, pity, and a cruel sense of triumph.

Every expression I’d feared—the sneers, the judgment, the silent glee—flickered across the faces surrounding us.

Unable to bear it any longer, I turned and fled, stumbling through the crowd, desperate to escape the suffocating weight of their eyes.