Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 25

**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**
**Chapter 25**

Damien stood before me, his appearance a testament to his exhaustion, the dark circles under his eyes betraying the late nights and early mornings he had endured.

In his hand, he held a bag from my favorite bakery, the scent of freshly baked pastries wafting through the air, teasing my senses.

I lingered in the doorway, my heart set on not allowing him entry, determined to maintain my distance.

Yet, with a casual push, he brushed past me, claiming my living room as if it were his own domain.

He placed the pastries on the dining table, the delicate boxes opening to reveal an array of colorful treats. Then, as if nothing had ever changed between us, he reached out to ruffle my hair, a gesture that felt both familiar and infuriating.

I ducked away from his hand, my annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface.

“Nova, attitude much?” he remarked, a hint of playful exasperation in his voice.

“I’ve been texting and calling you all morning. You’re really gonna ignore me completely?”

His words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on me.

“What’s your plan here—keep up this silent treatment until I leave for my trip, then cry about missing me?”

Damien meticulously began to unpack the fancy little cakes, each one a masterpiece in its own right. He cut them into perfect portions, holding out a fork to me, his expression a mixture of hope and determination.

“Okay, enough pouting. I drove half an hour this morning to get these for you. I know you’ve been craving them. Eat up, then we can plan where to go for the rest of summer break.”

I remained unmoved, my defiance solid.

He let out a dramatic sigh, attempting to feed me directly, but I stepped back, unwilling to give in.

“Fine, princess,” he muttered, his tone a mix of frustration and amusement.

I stared at him, disbelief etched across my face. “You really want to discuss this honestly? Then maybe don’t plan entire trips and then ask for my input afterward. Plus, why would I want to go anyway? Madison’s obviously gonna be there, and I have zero interest in being a third wheel to your little love story.”

A long breath escaped Damien’s lips, a signal that his patience was wearing thin.

“Yes. Madison’s coming. She’s been wanting to see New Mexico too. But it’s not just her—Ryan’s girlfriend is joining us, so it’s not like she’d be the only girl.”

“You’re being paranoid about Madison for no reason. She hasn’t done anything to you. Her family situation is complicated, and she hasn’t been able to travel in years. Now that graduation’s over, she wants to pay her own way and join us as a friend. New Mexico’s huge—there’s plenty of room for everyone.”

Damien looked genuinely worn out, and it was clear that his usual filter had slipped away.

My anger continued to simmer, each passing moment intensifying my frustration. “Perfect. You can go with whoever you want. Just leave me out of it.”

The tension in the room was palpable, each word exchanged like a stone thrown into a still pond, creating ripples that neither of us could ignore.