Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

Chapter 20

Niamh thought that Castiel wouldn't return for a few days. But to her surprise, he came back sometime after 10:00 pm with his whole body reeking of alcohol.

When Niamh stepped out of the bathroom while drying her hair, she noticed he was still wearing the same clothes he had left with. A cold glint flashed across her eyes.

Dressed in her nightgown, her slender calves that were exposed looked especially enticing. Without turning her head, she walked away, clearly intending to go to another room. Sharing the same space with Castiel made her feel suffocated. "Stop!" Niamh had barely taken a few steps when she heard Castiel's cold voice come from behind her. The way he spoke made it sound as if he was ready to tear her apart.

In her previous life, when he had spoken to her like this, it would have broken her heart. But now, Niamh was calm. Her attitude toward his affair with Macy was so indifferent that it was infuriating.

However, this didn't mean that she didn't care and wouldn't do anything about it. For instance, she was adamant to get a divorce. In the past, whenever she acted out and Castiel got angry, she would immediately back down-not this time.

"What do you want now?" she asked uncaringly without turning around. She hastened her movements and tossed the towel into the laundry basket by the door.

Castiel stared daggers at her back. His gaze was so intense that it could bore a hole through her. His voice grew colder as he asked, "Don't you have anything to explain to me?"

Niamh snorted and retorted, "No."

The sounds of footsteps rushed toward Niamh from behind. She quickened her pace, but it was too late. She was pulled into his embrace, and his familiar scent mixed with alcohol filled her nose. Niamh raised her hand and slapped him across the face. "Get away from me."

The slap echoed in the room, and a deafening silence ensued.

Castiel held his body up with his arms and stared down at Niamh. Despite his deep eyes being partially obscured by his long lashes, they could not conceal the deep fury and disappointment he felt inside. Niamh tried to push him away, but he was like an immovable mountain.

As their eyes met, a look of disgust appeared in Niamh's eyes. Every time she faced him,

memories of Macy claiming she was pregnant with his child made her feel sick,

"Haven't I treated you well?" Castiel asked. His voice was full of restrained emotions, and it broke the tense silence between them..

Niamh responded coldly, "In what way?"

"Why did you do such a thing?" he questioned loudly, referring to Macy.

Niamh knew that Castiel had already convinced himself that she was responsible for kidnapping Macy. He believed that she was the one who caused Macy's injuries. He had it in his mind that she Chapter 201

2/3

was the one who broke her legs and blinded her. In his mind, she was the villain.

The man who had once claimed to trust her was now questioning her all because of what he had seen from some documents. It was laughable.

Niamh's voice was icy and full of disdain. "Why would I do something like that for you? Do you think you're worth it?"

stone

Castiel's handsome face was frigid and austere. His rough fingers gripped her chin, and his sounded domineering. "Then explain to me where that money went!"

He was referring to the one million dollars or so that had been transferred to her bank account.

Niamh closed her eyes. She didn't even know where that card was anymore, so she had no way to explain it. Moreover, she couldn't be bothered to explain herself. Castiel remarked, "You aren't supposed to be like this."

He kept claiming she shouldn't be a rotten person, but never once did he say with confidence that she wasn't one. Why couldn't he declare that she wasn't that kind of person? Instead, he was accusing her readily. So, because Macy was in a worse situation than her, was she supposed to take every accusation that was hurled at her?

"What do you think I should be, then? When I found out you were involved with your assistant, should I still bow down to you and the Jamison family?" Niamh retorted sharply.

They stared at each other, locked in a silent battle.

Castiel's disappointment deepened. He was convinced that she was in the wrong but refused to repent.

Niamh, too, felt her heart grow colder by the minute inside. In her past life, she had feared Castiel in moments like this. She was terrified that he didn't believe her and would abandon her.

But now, it all seemed laughable to Niamh. Castiel had been disloyal to their marriage and relationship in both body and heart. What right did he have to be upset with her?

"Can you let go of me?" she asked frostily just as Castiel leaned in closer.

Because of this, Castiel stopped his movements. He got up and moved away from her.

"Get out," he ordered sternly.

Niamh got up and walked out swiftly without hesitation. This was the first time Castiel had ever spoken to her like that. Similarly, this was the first time Niamh had left so decisively. Only Castiel was left in the bedroom.

He kicked Niamh's dressing table, resulting in it toppling over with a loud crash. The table was something he had personally picked out for her.

Now, it lay on the floor miserably with a broken leg

That night, neither of them slept. They sat in the dark until morning, but the silence didn't bring peace or calm.

3/3

The next morning when Niamh came downstairs, Tilda placed a cup of hangover remedy in front of the elegantly dressed Castiel.

Niamh sat across from him..

This was the first time Castiel had ever experienced an upset stomach after drinking. In the past, whenever he came home from social events, Niamh would prepare the hangover remedy in advance and apply a warm towel to his chest to make sure he woke up feeling fine the next morning.

But this time, she left him to his own devices.

"We should have a child," Castiel said as he suddenly looked up at Niamh.