[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system":3,"chapter-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-155":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},560643,810,"Chapter 155: A Quiet Between Two Hearts","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-155",155,"\u003Cp>A Quiet Between Two Hearts\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey... Selene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could you get me a glass of water? I’m thirsty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came out softer than usual, stripped of his usual teasing edge. His throat felt dry, his body still heavy from exhaustion. Even speaking took a bit of effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Selene simply looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure... do you want it warm?\" she asked, her tone naturally gentle, though there was a faint hesitation—as if she wasn’t used to this kind of simple care between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cold is fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene gave a small nod and turned away, her long black hair brushing lightly against her back as she moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up a disposable cup, her fingers steady but her thoughts... not quite as calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water dispenser hummed faintly as she pressed the button. A thin stream of water poured into the cup, the sound soft in the quiet hospital room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, Julian watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes followed her without much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[She really came running here...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This version of her... feels different.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say it out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something in his chest shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene returned with the water, holding it carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian tried to sit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed his hands against the bed, muscles tightening—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his body betrayed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp wave of weakness ran through him, and his shoulders dropped back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn,\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene noticed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without saying anything, she set the cup aside for a moment, then reached for a pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t force it,\" she said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were calm and precise as she slipped the pillow behind his back, supporting him, then gently helped him sit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their distance closed briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close enough for him to feel the faint warmth of her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close enough for her to hear his breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was properly supported, she picked up the cup again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can’t drink like this... let me help you,\" Selene said, her blue eyes catching the light faintly as she held the cup near him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene tilted the cup carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water touched his lips, cool and refreshing, sliding down his throat like relief after a long drought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, neither of them spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the quiet sound of him drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the soft rhythm of their breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finished, she lowered the cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want more?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... I’ll just rest for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian shook his head lightly, leaning back against the pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Better to drink less until I recover.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Otherwise... if I need to pee later, I can’t ask you to help, can I?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’d be crossing into dangerous territory...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sigh... but at least I don’t need help with anything worse.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips twitched faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That would’ve been a tragedy,\" he muttered quietly, almost to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene’s hand froze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression didn’t change much—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her lips tightened just a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his thoughts, Selene’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was this guy thinking all day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled slowly through her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This idiot...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thought followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A much more dangerous one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Charlotte really did... help him in the bathroom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze shifted, almost unconsciously, toward the other side of the curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte was still asleep, breathing softly, completely unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her lower lip faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange feeling stirred in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not quite jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something... sharper than she expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did you do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single call... and I could have come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lingered there for a second longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened to you today?\" she asked softly, her voice quieter now, almost as if she didn’t want to disturb the fragile stillness in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian turned his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just had a late-night snack with her... then ran into some trouble while checking out the casino,\" he said with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...nothing much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze dropped briefly to his arm... then his chest... then back to his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You call that ’nothing much’?\" she asked, her voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian shrugged slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m still alive, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene didn’t respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lingered on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she sighed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her voice lacked any real sharpness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Julian didn’t know what else to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being with Selene...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn’t find much to talk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because he didn’t want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those years...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were filled with him chasing after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to get her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only to be met with cold responses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distant eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had never...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually talked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even for three minutes straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with her sitting right beside him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene felt it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That strange gap between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That unfamiliar silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t uncomfortable...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t easy either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re tired... just rest for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted slightly, adjusting himself against the pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evened out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat beside him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... being there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes traced the subtle rise and fall of his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint tension in his brows, slowly easing as sleep took him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way his expression, usually so relaxed and teasing, now looked...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unprotected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw him like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without jokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without that careless mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not touching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being by his side...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to his thoughts...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s... actually nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t realize when that thought formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or when it settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room remained still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the soft hum of the hospital machines and the faint breathing of two people filled the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After half an hour of quiet, Charlotte woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stretched slightly, her body still a bit sore, her mind clearing as she blinked awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curtain shifted softly as she sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her teal eyes adjusted to the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked toward Selene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene was still sitting beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte’s gaze lingered there for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unreadable passed through her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he asleep?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1143,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","91ec5f732d613c31debee9945e60bd34c54df232575a300cb7d4d1648419e614","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-156","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-154",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]