On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 81

Jessica Brown froze on the spot.

She hadn't even realized when Lance Smith had left. All she knew was that Amy had gone looking for her daddy, but he never appeared.

No wonder.

He had something more important to do. In Lance’s eyes, Catherine would always be the most important person.

Jessica stared blankly into the distance. Catherine was drunk, so drunk she didn’t seem to recognize the man in front of her. She shoved at him weakly. "Don't touch me! Get away from me! Do you even like me?"

"You're drunk, Catherine," Lance said, his voice deep and steady. "I'm taking you home."

Catherine stumbled back. "I want to be drunk! It’s the only way I can numb myself, the only way I can lie to myself, the only way I can be myself. My whole life has been a complete failure. No one has ever truly loved me."

A flicker of pain crossed Lance’s eyes. "Talk to me. What happened?"

She just shook her head. "You wouldn't understand. Nobody understands me."

Waving her hands erratically, she tried to walk away, but Lance grabbed her arm and pulled her into a firm embrace. "Catherine, calm down."

This was the first time he had ever seen her cry with such raw, gut-wrenching despair. Even six months ago, when she’d stood on that rooftop, falsely accused by Jessica and ready to end her life, her tears had been silent.

He gently patted her back. "Don't worry. I'll handle this."

Catherine shook her head frantically. "No, don't. I don't deserve it. Even my last name isn't really mine. I'm destined to grasp at things and never hold on. I'm used to it. Don't be too good to me… not unless you can be this good to me forever."

Lance held her tighter, his voice a low, gentle murmur. "I will be good to you forever."