Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

Upstairs, Niamh listened to Castiel's furious words directed at Renee and felt a mix of sadness. and absurdity.

Renee had always looked down on her and even prevented her from having Castiel's child. Despite knowing this, Niamh had never mentioned it to Castiel. Looking back, she had foolishly believed that if she tried hard enough, the Jamison family would eventually accept her.

After losing her parents and grandmother, Niamh had longed for the warmth of family, dedicating herself to making a place in Castiel's world. But she was wrong. Niamh closed her eyes and was unable to hide the sorrow on her face.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

When Castiel came upstairs, he found Niamh lying on the chaise longue with an icy demeanor. He crouched in front of her and took her hand gently. "Niamh." Niamh instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Castiel tightened his grip.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

Niamh chuckled. What good would it have done to tell him? Would he sever ties with his family? No, Castiel wouldn't do that.

And so, life in the Jamison family

"Duld only become more unbearable for her. Renee was petty; if

Castiel quarreled with her over this, Niamh would be left to face her wrath alone.

Before Castiel could say more, his phone rang. Holding Niamh's hand with one hand, he pulled out his phone with the other, glancing at the caller ID before answering. "What is it?" The conversation was brief but urgent.

Castiel sprang to his feet, releasing Niamh's hand. The warmth was suddenly gone.

His usually serene and handsome features were now filled with indifference as he looked at Niamh, who met his gaze with a shiver running down her spine.

"Okay, I'll be right there." With that, Castiel hung up

Niamh looked away. She knew Macy had been found.

"They found Macy. I'll go and take a look."

"What is your relationship with her?" Niamh turned to look at Castiel. Her gaze was steady, and the question was laced with an unsettling calm.

At that moment, Castiel felt her inquiry pierce straight into his soul.

He bent down, gently touched her face, then cradled her cheeks and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. His touch was meant to be tender and comforting, but it felt superficial to Niamh. "Don't jump to conclusions. We're not as it seems. Il explain everything when I return, okay?"

Niamh remained silent.

"Be good," Castiel said, giving her another kiss before leaving hastily.

Niamh closed her eyes, hiding the storm of emotions beneath.

Renee had left, but the shocking revelation Niamh had dropped had irrevocably affected Renee's relationship with Castiel. Although it wouldn't destroy their bond, it would surely strain it. Previously, Niamh had been considerate of Castiel, not wanting to cause rifts between him and his family. But now things were different.

The entire Jamison family was in disarray, and the unrest had spread to the entire city of Greenburg.

As Niamh had anticipated, Castiel did not return for several days. Since Macy's discovery, her and Niamh's names had been splashed across the headlines.

Macy, with broken legs and blinded eyes, looked pitiful and distressed. The brutal outcome shocked the city and became a nationwide topic of discussion.

Niamh, once a victim of a broken marriage, found herself thrust into the spotlight, facing public condemnation due to Macy's tragic situation.

"Mrs. Jamison, here are your deliveries," the butler, Arnold Sanders, said, bringing in several packages.

His gaze toward Niamh was peculiar. She had never ordered anything online before, and Maplewood had never once received a package for her. So, the sudden influx was unusual. Coupled with the latest news, everyone's view of Niamh had shifted.

Niamh quietly ate her breakfast as her expression darkened. It had begun.

"Open them for me."

She knew exactly what those packages contained. In her past life, the sight had left her terrified and unable to sleep for nights on end.

Arnold had a housekeeper hand him a pair of scissors. When the first package was opened, everyone froze in shock, their faces drained of color and filled with terror. "W-what..."

Niamh glanced at the contents. It was a dead rat wrapped in paper money for the dead.

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