Extra's Descent - Chapter 397

Chapter 397: This is what regret feels like [1]
January 16, 2150.

A week had passed since the trial.

Brandon hadn’t realized it then, but during his time in the cell, it had already stopped snowing.

But as if the world was mocking him for his failures, today, out of all days, the weather was gloomy.

It felt rather oppressive.

But in any case, Brandon turned to the side upon noticing the vibration coming from his phone, rippling a buzz on the table right beside his bed.

[You have 52 missed calls.]

Only now did he notice he had several missed calls, each coming from his friends, some of them even coming from his mother, Brianna.

‘Mother, huh?’

Truth be told, Brandon intentionally distanced himself from Brianna. He couldn’t see her as a mother figure, and he didn’t plan on replacing his real mother in his heart.

No, he couldn’t stomach losing another mother again.

For that reason, he had never tried to personally get close to her.

But somewhere deep inside him, he longed for a mother figure, whether he liked it or not.

He had only realized it now as he stared at Brianna’s name in his contact list, and the word mother flashed in his mind.

A certain image overlapped.

Evelyn.

He had told himself that the relationship was akin to that of an older sister, maybe even a younger sister, considering Evelyn’s innocence.

But no.

Unknowingly, he had painted Evelyn as a mother figure in his heart, whether he liked it or not.

He had only come to realize it now, as he recalled every reaction he had with her thus far.

Brandon was always one to seek validation for his accomplishments, but when it came to Evelyn it mattered more to him if she approved of it or not.

Just the thought of the times when their opinions clashed during his time in Astrea caused him to smile.

But it was a rather sorrowful smile.

It was just like his relationship with his mother in his past life.

And now, once more, he had lost that kind of figure in his life.

Brandon set his phone on the side and slumped down on his bed once more.

He wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. Nor was he in the mood to see anyone.

It was one of the reasons why he had moved out from Amelia’s apartment.

More so, because he had forcefully placed himself in danger. And the attention that followed after the trial might impede Brianna, Belle, and Amelia.

After all, paparazzis gathered around their apartments a week back.

But after telling them Brandon had moved out, and with a bit of confirmation, the paparazzis never returned.

This world was annoying.

Just some issues, and it would immediately be posted on the internet. Articles would be written about you, and strangers would start hunting you down, begging for an interview.

Maybe if it was a year ago, Brandon would’ve liked the feeling.

After all, he was one to seek attention.

But in this case, the attention was rather annoying.

But it couldn’t be helped. He had to expose everything to the world when he finally had a chance.

It wasn’t a daily occurrence to stand in trial, which the whole world could witness.

Then, Brandon turned to the side.

Garbage bags had already piled up just outside of his room, by the exit door. He couldn’t be bothered to go outside.

Tick. Tock.

Amidst the silence, the sound of clock ticking caught his attention, and Brandon fixed his attention on the clock.

[4:32 PM.]

“Ah.”

It was almost time.

Time for Evelyn’s funeral.

His chest felt tight all of a sudden, followed by a suffocating feeling in his throat.

Brandon merely bit his lip, fighting off the oppressive sensation.

Because he was fine.

That’s what he had been telling himself, and to everyone else.

And yet for some reason, he would get annoying messages asking about his condition.

It was annoying.

Hadn’t he already replied the first time? Why would they worry so much?

Two weeks had already passed since Evelyn’s death, everyone else would’ve moved on already.

He had moved on already.

He was sure of it.

RIRIIING—

His phone buzzed once more. The caller was none other than Raven.

Irritated, Brandon put his phone to sleep.

Most probably, like always, he wasn’t alone. His friends would most probably flock around the phone and start showing their concern.

It had always been like that, and it was overwhelming.

For the first time, Brandon didn’t like the attention.

He had already moved on.

He kept telling himself that.

“So stop asking me every goddamn time!”

A sudden chill crept up on his feet. Staring down, the floor seemed to have frozen slightly.

Despite everything that happened, Brandon never once skipped out on training.

It was hard.

Really hard.

Because it hurt.

Training alone hurts. Being alone with only his mind plaguing him was suffocating. Yet at the same time, he wanted to be alone.

All of a sudden.

Just as he was about to head back to bed.

To– Tok.

Someone knocked on his door.

“….”

The only people who knew the location of his new apartment were Amelia, Belle, and Brianna.

It was a rather humble apartment, despite the wealth he had amassed.

He planned to entertain them for a bit, then send them home after.

However, the moment he opened the door, what greeted his sight weren’t Belle or Amelia at all.

“Brandon.”

Brandon’s hand remained on the door handle as Vanessa stood there.

Her eyes searched his face, as if trying to decipher what was going on behind the cold expression he wore.

She looked…. tired.

A sudden pang of guilt welled up in his chest.

Inadvertently, Brandon looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

“Why are you still here? The ceremony’s about to start—”

“I’m not going.”

He replied immediately.

“Brandon….”

“Please leave.”

Just as he was about to close the door, Vanessa’s eyes suddenly glowed, and the door felt heavier, and Brandon was unable to shut it close.

“You need to be there. She—Evelyn—would’ve wanted it.”

Brandon clenched his jaw, the familiar knot tightening in his chest at the mention of Evelyn’s name.

However, seeing the pensive look on her face, Brandon’s brows raised.

Please, stop.

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘Despite the case I pleaded, I know deep inside I was the reason she died.’

‘I was the reason your best–friend died.’

‘….I killed her.’

From the plan he proposed in the auction—leading to Evelyn’s core being shattered—to neglecting the possibility of a Wraith seed sprouting within her core.

But what hurt the most was knowing he had the tools to save her, if he only knew when the seed hadn’t sprouted past the point of no return.

He had done it for Rafael Asami, who thankfully, didn’t have the seed.

The thought of Evelyn being corrupted never even crossed his mind, especially seeing how calm and healthy she was a few months back.

Ah, it hurt.

Brandon’s grip on the door tightened, his knuckles white as he stood there, unable to push Vanessa away, unable to speak the words that clawed at his throat.

Vanessa didn’t move, her glowing eyes staring back at him. She wasn’t angry, she wasn’t accusing. That’s what made it worse.

“Please, just go.”

Brandon pleaded, his voice cracking.

But Vanessa stepped closer, her hand gently resting on the door.

“You were trying to save her, Brandon. We all know that. But Evelyn wouldn’t want you to carry this burden alone. She wouldn’t want you to keep punishing yourself like this.”

“I’m not….”

His words trailed off.

You are.

You’re punishing yourself because you know it’s your fault.

He bit the inside of his cheek, tasting blood.

Vanessa’s gaze softened, but she didn’t let go of the door.

“You don’t have to speak. Just be there.”

“I could have stopped it. I could’ve saved her if I had known sooner.

Vanessa didn’t say anything for a moment, and in that silence, Brandon felt the crushing weight of his own words.

Vanessa stepped forward again, her eyes reflecting with unshed tears.

“Brandon, no one blames you. I don’t blame you. So why are you blaming yourself so much?”

Her words hit him hard, and for the first time, Brandon felt something break inside him.

Vanessa reached out, placing a hand on his arm.

“Please, come with me.”

‘Please, stop looking at me like that.’

“Just go.”

He repeated once more.

This time, Vanessa backed down, realizing she couldn’t persuade him.

If she couldn’t persuade him, someone who was undoubtedly close with Evelyn, then no one could.

But before Vanessa could leave, she rummaged through her purse and handed him something.

“Take this. We found it in Evelyn’s room.”

It was a box, clumsily wrapped in Christmas paper. It was poorly done that it wasn’t even fully covered.

“….”

It was just like Evelyn.

“If you can’t come, then at least accept this.”

Brandon stared at the box in his hand, his face darkening, standing frozen with his hands on the door.

“Haha.”