Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 24

**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**
**Chapter 24**

“California is actually perfect for you. It’s right on the ocean. I’ll take you to the beach for photo shoots at the right time.”

There was an unmistakable softness in Damien’s voice, a warmth that was foreign to me. The alcohol had cast a gentle glow over his usual bravado, transforming his tone into something almost tender.

In our typical spats, even when he was the first to apologize, his words always dripped with veiled threats: “Nova, cut the drama, or I’m not taking you to Disneyland.”

And I would always relent, succumbing to his demands because when you’re head over heels for someone, the mere thought of losing them is unbearable.

But tonight, the sweetness in his voice only deepened the ache in my chest.

“Come on, talk to me… Nova… sweetheart… what do you think?” he urged, his eyes searching mine for a connection that felt frayed.

“You’ve been dreaming of a beach vacation for ages, right? California has some incredible beaches nearby—you’re going to love it.”

“And honestly, Boston is way too far from home. Plus, you can’t stand the cold. You’d be miserable during those brutal winters… but hey, if you really want to see snow, I can take you to Lake Tahoe during winter break…”

Damien continued to ramble, as if trying to convince not just me but himself as well. It felt like he was framing this move to California as some grand gesture of generosity on his part, as if it was all for my benefit.

I listened, my heart heavy with unspoken words, until I could no longer contain myself.

“Damien… is there something you want to tell me?”

My voice emerged more fractured than I had intended, each word laced with vulnerability.

A flicker of hope ignited within me—if only he could be honest right now, perhaps we could salvage our friendship after all.

But if he continued to dance around the truth, then it was clear we were truly finished.

He hesitated for just a heartbeat before slipping back into his evasive nonsense: “…You already know what’s up. Why are you making me spell it out?”

“You’ve been giving me the silent treatment all day over this. You’re being such a brat.”

“Look, whatever, they’re both good schools. You picked a major you love. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we go to college…”

Damien kept talking, his words a steady stream, yet he stubbornly refused to confront the real issue at hand.

I was done listening.

The weight of our unresolved conflict hung heavy in the air, a tangible presence that suffocated any remaining warmth between us.

It felt too late to turn back now; we had both said things that could never be unsaid.

I flicked off the lights and turned away, desperate to escape the reality of the moment.

Yet, even as I closed my eyes, my mind replayed every memory of us—happy moments, heated arguments, inside jokes, and those silly disagreements that had become the fabric of our years together.

I had never envisioned our story concluding like this.

Late-night emotions have a way of surfacing, revealing the depths of our feelings in ways that daylight often obscures.

Despite my resolve to be strong, I found myself succumbing to tears, my heart breaking in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

Madison’s caption read like something pulled straight from a romance novel:

*“I walked 99 steps toward you with nothing but love. Thank God you finally took that last step toward me. Right now, I’m the happiest girl alive.”*

The likes and comments flooded in, with Madison flirting back in the replies, clearly reveling in the attention.

Damien’s friends were all over it, their excitement palpable through the screen.

My stomach plummeted.

So they had really taken things this far…

Last night, while Damien was sweet-talking me over the phone, he was tangled up in bed with someone else.

What a multitasker he had turned out to be.

My mood sank to an all-time low, despair washing over me like a cold wave.

Yet, amidst the devastation, a strange sense of relief flickered within me.

Thank God I hadn’t followed him to California. Otherwise, the next four years would have been nothing short of a humiliating nightmare.

I was still lost in thought, staring blankly at my phone, when the doorbell rang.

With a hesitant breath, I opened the door to find Damien standing there, his expression a mix of uncertainty and determination.