Beranda / Romance / FESTERING HEART / CHAPTER 4: GUILT

Share

CHAPTER 4: GUILT

Penulis: Goddess
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-07-07 00:39:25

CRYSTAL'S POV 

Xavier held the man's picture, which was even framed, and was crying bitterly...

My body trembled violently, and the tray in my hand fell, water splattering everywhere. A shard cut my leg, bringing out blood, but it didn't help in easing my mind at all. 

My eyes were fixed on Xavier, who was startled by the noise and stood up from his bed, turning around while hiding the picture behind him. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, and he frowned deeply. 

His beautiful set of eyes had turned red, and his face seemed a bit swollen as if he had been crying for a while. 

I swallowed and lowered my head. Without saying a word, I turned around and ran away.

I couldn't stay. I couldn't continue watching the pained Xavier. I couldn't continue watching those pairs of red eyes and swollen face, which were a result of the murder I committed!

I continued running and only stopped when I entered my room.  

My face was already smeared with the hot tears that poured uncontrollably, and my body was shaking violently. My hands were trembling, and even my lips were quivering. 

I clasped and unclasped my hands, the sweat from them serving as no deterrence as I paced aimlessly around the room. 

My tears wouldn't stop falling, and the guilt in my heart multiplied a thousandfold. 

Remembering the words I said to him in the morning about being innocent, I felt like strangling myself, and I directly slumped to the ground, resting my head on the bed. 

I had no idea when, but I drifted off to sleep and only woke up from the sound of knocking on the door. 

Opening my eyes, I wiped my face roughly and rushed toward the door to open it. "Ma... You're back," It was Madam Frost, whose gaze held her usual warm smile. 

"What are you doing?" She asked calmly, staring at my face. She must have noticed something wrong. 

I shook my head and even yawned, "Nothing, Ma. I was sleeping before you knocked," I explained. 

She raised a brow, "Oh, I must have disturbed your sleep. I'm so sorry," 

I smiled and waved my hand, "Not at all. I had to wake up to do my assignment anyway, and I will be cooking soon. It's no bother at all," I replied to her, and only then did her eyes relax. 

I opened the door for her to step in,

"Congratulations on your resumption, Crystal. How was school today? Did anyone bully you?" She asked, pulling my hand as we both sat in my bed. 

I shook my head, revealing a calm smile, "No one did," With everything going on, reporting to her would only hurt me more. 

I wouldn't want someone who treated me so well to find out about what I had done. I didn't want to disappoint her...

She patted my hand gently and nodded, "No one dares. If anyone says anything or even looks at you anyhow, just let me know, and I will deal with them. You have no less power than Xavier in that school. You should know that," She mumbled, with her eyes on me. She seemed to be seeing through me, but her words indeed gave me a shock. 

Why was she doing so much for me?

"Come in!" She called, and the unlocked door was opened wider, revealing three ladies with boxes in their hands. 

"Crystal," Madam Frost stood up and walked toward the first lady. She opened the box, bringing out a long purple dress, "This is a gown designed by Hazel Milla, the top designer in our country," 

The gown was very beautiful. It was sparkling, evoking the youthfulness in me, and I immediately fell in love with it. It was indeed Hazel's work. Her works were always as beautiful as her face and body... damn!

Madam Frost didn't stop there. She opened the second box, bringing out a bag. "This is the RICHWORLD newly released bag. There are only two in the whole world at the moment," She introduced, and my eyes widened. 

She walked over to the next lady, and what she revealed were high heels, "These heels are a limited edition. It was out of stock, so I had to buy it from someone who already had it abroad but rest assured, it's still very new, and the person hasn't worn it at all," She explained. 

I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't find my tongue for a long while. Tears continued rolling down my face as guilt and excitement washed through me. Thinking about how Xavier was crying over that man, I wondered if he was related to Madam Frost and what her reaction would be when she found out about my involvement in his death. 

She walked over and pulled me into her warm embrace, "Don't cry, don't cry, baby. I've told you to see me as your mother. From now on, I will take care of you and make sure no one ever gets to bully you anymore. I'm sorry for coming so late..." She mumbled, stroking my hair. 

I'm sorry for coming so late...

I'm coming so late...

I will be back...

My head suddenly felt like it was going to explode, and I shivered slightly. What was that? What was that last voice? Madam Frost... could it be that I had seen her before? 

I quickly shook my head. As someone whose parents weren't very rich when they were alive, I couldn't have seen her before.   

I cried a bit longer in her arms before I was able to calm down. The maids had already dropped the gifts and left, "Thanks so much, ma. I'm very grateful," I sincerely said to her, looking at her beautiful face. 

Madam Frost smiled warmly and shook her head. "I should be the one thanking you, Crystal. I'm also the one who feels sorry for you. This is what I should be doing..." Her voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes, but it was only for a moment as her eyes soon cleared again, and she smiled sweetly. "Be happy from now on, okay? Do not let anyone hold you back either," She hugged me and whispered. 

Madam Frost stayed a little longer in my room before she stood up, "I have a meeting in 30 minutes, so I will have to go now. You don't have to cook tonight. Kate will do that. Just attend to your homework and sleep early," She advised and left my room. 

I watched as she closed the door, a smile forming on my face. 

I stood up from the bed, removed my clothes, and tied a towel around my chest. I was tempted to test the things she got for me, and the happiness had momentarily washed away the guilt and pain in my heart. 

Picking up the dress, I admired it with a bright smile on my face and was about to wear it when the door was pushed open and a figure stormed in... Xavier. 

His eyes twitched when he saw me, "You're smiling?" He asked, his tone cold. "After killing him, you still have the guts to smile?!" He hollered. 

I shook my head, eyes pleading. "No, Xavier," I cried. 

"No? You didn't mean to kill him? A single call, Crystal. A single call could have saved him. If only you hadn't run away and made a call instead, he could have been saved!" He yelled. 

My body trembled, and the dress dropped. "No, Xavier. Please, let me explain. It's not as you think. I didn't mean to kill that man..." My eyes turned misty. "I was drunk on my 19th birthday, and the man took me to a building to harass me..." 

"Shut up!" Xavier yelled and slapped me harshly on the face. "He harassed you? You should have done your investigation well before coming here to lie. Austin will never do that. You are not even his type," He said every word with immense hatred. "I will make you pay, Crystal. I will send you to the same place you sent Austin!" He threatened, turned around, and walked away. 

I slumped on the ground. 

Austin...

That man's name was Austin...

Austin...

I felt weak from the depths of my heart, and tears rushed out of my eyes without restraint. "He's Austin," I mumbled.

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terbaru

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 6: PERVERT

    ****CRYSTAL'S POV****Walking out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my waist, I was humming a song with a smile. Madam Frost told me to get ready for tonight. She was taking me out for a banquet where she would introduce me to her group of friends as her daughter, also telling them to take good care of me in the future. She was planning to clear a path for me, trying to make it easier than it should ever be. I felt happiness from within me. It was difficult to keep my emotions in check since she'd told me about it a few days ago... "Wear this or wear that?" I contemplated, staring at the expensive dresses in the wardrobe, I wondered which of them would be better for the banquet. 'A white monkey in the dilapidated house down the village. Everyone knows its whereabouts except the owner. How sweet will their reunion be?How happy will the owner be?Oh, let's party tonight. A happy day it is."[A random song]I continued dancing as I stared at the dresses, runn

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 5: XAVIER'S DECISION

    ***XAVIER'S POV***I had only confirmed my relationship with Austin. We weren't even able to hold hands yet, and I had thought we could stay in love for a very long time. Although I was confused then. I had never for once questioned my sexual orientation, even when I realized I wasn't interested in any of the girls around me, but I wasn't interested in the men either. I thought I would only focus on studying, and maybe one day, I would find someone to make my heart beat. However, Austin came into the picture. I was celebrating my 20th birthday when Austin walked up to me and confessed to me about his love. I was very confused but felt enlightened at the same time- 'So, this was it? The reason I had never fallen in love with any girl was because I like men?' It was crazy, but that was the conclusion I came up with, and with curiosity and the urge to find out the truth about my sexual orientation, I accepted Austin's proposal, and we became lovers. He was older but was not in any wa

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 4: GUILT

    CRYSTAL'S POV Xavier held the man's picture, which was even framed, and was crying bitterly...My body trembled violently, and the tray in my hand fell, water splattering everywhere. A shard cut my leg, bringing out blood, but it didn't help in easing my mind at all. My eyes were fixed on Xavier, who was startled by the noise and stood up from his bed, turning around while hiding the picture behind him. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, and he frowned deeply. His beautiful set of eyes had turned red, and his face seemed a bit swollen as if he had been crying for a while. I swallowed and lowered my head. Without saying a word, I turned around and ran away.I couldn't stay. I couldn't continue watching the pained Xavier. I couldn't continue watching those pairs of red eyes and swollen face, which were a result of the murder I committed!I continued running and only stopped when I entered my room. My face was already smeared with the hot tears that poured uncontrollably, and my bod

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 3: HUMILIATION

    CRYSTAL'S POV "Hello, everyone. This is Crystal Shawn. A new student in the department," A Professor who had taken it upon himself to lead me to the law department, which I chose, introduced me to the students. The students looked stunned for a moment, looking at me without saying a word until one of them stood up and smiled brightly at me, "Hello, Crystal. I'm Lyra, Nice to meet you," She greeted cheerfully. Her eyes were literally sparkling as she smiled at me. Feeling warmth from her response, I waved at her and smiled back at her, "Pleasure meeting you, Lyra,""Hi, Crystal. I'm Ben,""Hi, Crystal, I'm David,""I'm Sarah,""I'm Daniel,""I'm Kay,"Almost all the students introduced themselves with bright smiles on their faces, which for a minute stunned me as this wasn't the image I had in my head. These people were children of either politicians or business icons. They were innately spoiled and arrogant, but to think they would go through the pain of introducing themselves wit

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 2: MEMORY FRAGMENT

    CRYSTAL'S POV "Crystal, that's my son," Madam Frost said, walking forward, standing beside me as she pointed to her son, gesturing for him to get closer. "Xavier Frost, he's a year older," She added, smiling. My eyes flickered, a bad premonition brewing in my mind. "Oh... I'm Crystal Shawn," I introduced myself to Xavier, whose gaze was cold enough to freeze my entire being. He was just too scary. Xavier's expression changed drastically. He stormed closer and grabbed my hand, "Get out of this place!" He yelled, dragging me with him. "Have you lost your mind, Xavier? What the hell is wrong with you?" Madam Frost blocked the way, her eyes showing her anger. "You were the one who sent away our last cook, and you want to send her away, too? You don't have the right, Xavier!" She declared, moved forward, and slapped Xavier's hand away. "Don't mind him, Crystal. He's always that rude," Feeling troubled, I lowered my eyes a little and sucked in a deep breath, "It's okay," I replied, eve

  • FESTERING HEART   CHAPTER 1: MURDER

    CRYSTAL'S POV"Crystal!" "Crystal!!""Cry~stal Shawn!!!"My body shivered as I was startled awake by a yell into my ears. Opening my eyes, I took in the familiar face of the person who woke me up, feeling disgruntled. My head ached badly, and my eyes were a bit hazy. "Lyn? What's going on? What's with the..." My words stopped as my brain finally registered something strange. It wasn't very dark, making it easy for me to see that I wasn't in my room but a dilapidated building that had a scary feeling. "Why..." I mumbled and looked around the space, but my heart stopped the next moment, and a scream escaped my mouth. "Shut up," Lyn scolded, covering my mouth. "What are you doing?" Her eyes danced around, showing her nervousness, but she tried hard to keep her cool. I shook my head, holding her hand firmly while sweat formed on my forehead. "Lyn... Lyn... What... what is that? Isn't..." I closed my eyes, unable to continue looking at what was before me. It was scary...Too scary..

Bab Lainnya
Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status