"Is he a dog or something? Who goes back for their own mess without a hint of shame?"
Nadine's voice crackled through the phone, brimming with indignation.
"..."
Seren didn't respond.
Crass as Nadine's words were, she couldn't deny the truth in them.
Back then, when Sheridan lost the use of his legs, Willa had wasted no time abandoning him and running off to Meridia. Now, Sheridan could just let Willa back into his life—like nothing had ever happened. No remorse, no hesitation.
Most people couldn't do that. Seren knew she certainly couldn't.
Sensing the heavy silence, Nadine quickly shifted gears, her tone softening.
"So, what are you planning to do now that you're back in Seaside City? Are you going back to Riverbend?"
"No. I'm not."
"You're sure?"
"I am."
Nadine's relief was palpable, her voice light and brash again.
"Good. There's no point wasting another ounce of emotion on a guy like that. Coming back to Seaside City is the best thing for you. There are plenty of good men here—I'll introduce you to a proper local this time."
"And don't you disappear again, you hear me? These past three years, when I missed you, you were always thousands of miles away. Honestly, getting to see you even once a year felt nearly impossible."
There was a hint of wistfulness in Nadine's words.
Seren found herself reflecting, too. Three years ago, she'd uprooted her entire life for Sheridan, chasing after him all the way to Riverbend City. Since then, her visits home had been few and far between. After marrying Sheridan, she hadn't come back at all.
Even a caged bird longs for its old forest—how could she, so far from home, not miss Seaside City?
Of course she'd wanted to return. But after Sheridan's accident, he'd grown short-tempered and impossible to be around. The staff were too afraid to get close—everything fell to her. She couldn't leave, not even for a moment.
And just like that, three years had slipped by.
Seren didn't answer the rest of Nadine's rambling. She only said, "Don't worry. Once I'm back in Seaside City, we can see each other every day. This time, you won't be able to get rid of me even if you try."

Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Watching You Burn In Regret