All Chapters of Bygone Sorrows: Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

“What is this? Are you trying to tell me Kylie’s depression was fake?”“Yes.”The man nodded. “I checked numerous records and even tracked down the doctor who originally issued her depression diagnosis. Though he was reluctant to speak, I discovered she paid him a large sum of money for the diagnosis. If you still have doubts, you can send your own people to investigate.”“Impossible. Kylie wouldn’t lie to me.”Even now, Sebastian refused to accept the truth laid out before him.“Mr. Haynes, we do not lie to our clients. Whether these are facts, I believe you have the capacity to judge for yourself.”Then the man yawned. “Apologies, but it’s time for me to close up for the day.”“What about Melanie? Where is she?”Believing the man standing before him might hold a clue to Melanie’s whereabouts, Sebastian refused to leave.“How would I know that? She was simply a client. Once the payment cleared and the work was delivered, our contact ended.” He let out a dry, cynical laugh. “Mr. Haynes

“Nothing else.”Kylie shook her head frantically. “Nothing else, Sebastian! Apart from this, I never lied to you about anything else!”With that, she began gasping for breath, pretending to hyperventilate.Whenever they had conflicted in the past, all she had to do was fake a depressive episode, and Sebastian would forgive her every time.She assumed this time would be no different, but as Sebastian watched her act, he felt only utter disgust.He slapped the stack of documents hard against her body. “Kylie Miller, you’re beyond salvation! For five years—you didn’t have depression at all, yet you lied to me for five whole years!“I just gave you one final chance, and you rejected it. From today on, we have nothing to do with each other. Don’t you dare show your face in front of me ever again!”Sebastian turned to leave, and Kylie scrambled to chase after him, only to catch sight of the papers spilling from the envelope onto the bed.There lay the forged psychiatric evaluation report she

“Hey, pretty. All by yourself?“Care for a few drinks?”“Get lost.”Kylie snapped with a flash of impatience. “Do you even know who I am? You’ve got a death wish blocking my path!”“Ha! Who in this club doesn’t know who you are?”The man chuckled. “Kylie Miller, the great heiress of the Miller family! Though life’s been hard on you these days. I heard after Sebastian broke up with you, he cut off every business tie with your family, and your old man even kicked you out, threatening to disown you. Really, Kylie, why did you have to go and ruin things for yourself?”He reached out, his fingers pinching Kylie’s delicate chin. “That guy’s a fool. I’m not. Why not come with me? Whatever money you want, whatever you need done, I can handle it.”Kylie sobered up just a fraction. She raised her gaze and took a careful, calculating look at the man standing before her.It was Peter Woodhouse, heir of the Woodhouse line—a family with at least some standing in town.Right now, she had been thrown

Seeing that he still had no intention of giving up, the somewhat uplifted mood Melanie had just recovered instantly plummeted.“Your colleagues all went out for dinner. Why are you still here? Your stomach has always been sensitive. You know you get pretty bad gastritis when you skip meals.”“Sebastian.”Melanie shook her head, her face a storm of confusion and despair. “What on earth do you actually want from me? Can’t you just leave me alone? I’m begging you—please, just leave me be.”“I’m only trying to look after you. I’m trying my best to make amends,” Sebastian lowered his head, his tone pleading as she had rarely ever heard from him. “I know I’ve made unforgivable mistakes, but I truly can’t bring myself to give up on you. I love you, Melanie. You’re the love of my life—always have been, and always will be.”“Love?”A scoff escaped Melanie’s lips. “I can’t possibly afford your idea of love. Sebastian, all I want is to live my life in peace. Please, stop haunting my life! You lov

“Kylie... stop, please.”Sebastian rasped out with grueling effort, his voice trembling as every breath grew ragged. “I’m begging you... let Melanie go.”“You’re still pleading for her life? You love her that much, huh? Fine, I’ll get her to join you. Enjoy each other’s company in hell!”She scooped the handgun back off the floor, raising it high to take final aim.Before she could pull the trigger, local police burst through the doors, swarming her and slamming her violently to the cold floor.“Freeze! Don’t move!”“Let go of me! Let me kill that bitch!”“I said don’t move!”The cold metal barrel of an officer’s firearm pressed firmly against Kylie’s temple. Only then did the frantic fog in her mind lift, leaving her now clear-headed at last.Staring at Sebastian lying pooled in a widening sea of crimson, the horrifying reality of what she had done crashed over her.She had shot him. She had killed the only man she had ever loved.“How... how did this happen? I didn’t mean to!”Tears