Page 135 of Hawthorne

Staying inside, not being able to fix it and facing the forced memories of her that assault my brain every time I go somewhere in this manor is driving me crazy.

Her scent is everywhere…

Walking around the place is painful, and yet, I almost bit Mariah’s head off when she tried to change the fragrance used in the house. It was my mother’s request, but I’d rather die in agony smelling her than no longer have the one thing I was left behind with.

It invading my nostrils is the highlight of my day. How fucking miserable is that?

Miserable is my middle name now.

My self-commiseration moment is cut off by the double doors bursting open and my estranged. traitor of a brother showing up in my office like he owns it. This idiot has not talked to me ever since, ignoring my existence and not even letting me explain. And now he chooses to come here and disturb my—lack of—peace?

“What the fuck do you want?”

He doesn’t answer.Bellend.

I know I deserve it, but fuck. He’smybrother. He was the only one who knew about us, and…I need him.

Instead, he turns on the flat screen in the far corner by the couches and sits down, watching the TV and jumping between channels. His back is turned to me, and it gets on my nerves.

“If you’re here to torment me some more, you can fucking leave,” I grit.

Edgar turns around to face me with a wicked smirk. The one I only saw when he was preparing to get himself—or both of us—in trouble. “Oh, dear brother...the torment is just about to get started. And I don’t even need to do anything.”

“Breaking news!” the familiar feminine voice from the news channel sounds from the TV, catching my attention.

“This is going to be hilarious," he mutters amid a chuckle.

Then it continues, “The king allegedly passed away yesterday morning. He was surrounded by his loving family members.”

What? Fuck, no!I need more time.

“Oh, boy.” Edgar sounds amused. “And...Three...Two...One!”

“Howwas I not informed of this? Vincent?Vincent!”

I wince hearing her high-pitched screeches but try to ignore it, focusing on the TV. My mother bursts into my office the same way my brother did just a few moments ago. her chest heaving and her face red, from the rage, of course.

For the first time in her life…Sarah Byron has been blindsided.

While it’s a historical event in itself, I am more worried about what the king’s death means.

According to Monera’s Constitution, the heir is to be appointed and recognised by the government before the king’s death. And if the baby has passed away, then I should…

What the hell is going on?

Is this really it? I won’t even have a chance to make it right by her?

All the ruckus around me dies as the buzz in my ears rings loudly. This heart has been barely beating ever since she left. Now, it slows down to a stop, shattering into a million pieces. It causes all the sweat to run free over my skin, giving away the anxiety coursing through my veins. This is it.

I’m done for.

The difficulty in breathing forces my brain to travel to happier memories. How her soft skin would graze against mine duringour morning cuddles. How shiny her eyes would get whenever I complimented her and how her shaky breaths would fan my sweaty neck when making love or the way she would look at me so intensely, so eagerly. Almost as if she were afraid to lose me any moment.

She was afraid.I knew she was, but I wanted her.

I wanted it all, and in the end...everything that matters is gone.

I fucking lost her.

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