Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 73

**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**
**Chapter 73**

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the evening sky, the Miller family busied themselves with arrangements to transport everyone to the restaurant. The air was thick with anticipation, laughter, and the faint scent of freshly cut grass wafting through the open windows.

In one of the cars, Ethan found himself nestled between Sophia and Avery. His heart raced in the confined space, and he couldn’t help but steal glances at Sophia, who sat beside him, her face illuminated by the soft light filtering through the window.

“Are you cold?” he asked, noticing her shiver slightly. Without waiting for a response, he fiddled with the air conditioning, adjusting it to a more comfortable setting. He reached over to offer her a cozy blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders with a gentle smile. “Here, this should help.”

Avery, seated on the left, observed the two of them with a mix of amusement and a twinge of something she couldn’t quite place. They were lost in their own world, chatting animatedly, while she turned her gaze outside, watching the blurred scenery pass by. The rain had begun to fall, softly at first, but it quickly escalated into a torrential downpour, the sound of raindrops hammering against the roof creating a rhythm that matched her heartbeat.

Suddenly, the car in front flicked on its high beams, momentarily blinding Ethan as they descended a steep hill. The driver, caught off guard, lost control and crashed violently into the guardrail. Time seemed to slow as panic surged through the car.

In an instinctive motion, Ethan pulled Sophia close, wrapping his arms around her as the world around them erupted into chaos.

BANG!

The sound of shattering glass echoed in the confined space, and Avery felt a sharp pain as she realized she was pressed against the door, blood seeping from a wound. The world around her began to spin, and she felt as if she were unraveling, each moment pulling her further into darkness.

As the right door swung open, Ethan bolted out, cradling Sophia in his arms, his voice frantic as he dialed for help. “Stay with me, Sophia. I’m right here,” he murmured, his eyes wide with fear, as he tried to keep her calm. In that moment, the reality of the situation seemed to fade away for him; Avery’s presence was overshadowed by his desperate need to protect Sophia.

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics quickly assessed the scene, their voices a blur of urgency. They decided to prioritize the more critically injured person. Ethan hesitated, glancing between Avery, who lay still in a pool of her own blood, and Sophia, trembling in shock but conscious. The choice weighed heavily on him, but within seconds, he chose to take Sophia to the hospital first.

Watching the ambulance drive away, Avery felt her vision blur, tears spilling down her cheeks. Oh, Ethan… she thought, her heart aching. Twenty years of friendship couldn’t compare to the fleeting glance he had given Sophia.

As the pain coursed through her body, her eyelids grew heavier, and the world faded to black as she slipped into unconsciousness, unaware of the time slipping away.

When she finally opened her eyes again, the cacophony of voices surrounded her.

“20:28,” she heard, the time echoing in her mind like a distant bell.

Aww, Seven Exes Begged. Cute. Blocked.

One day, as a nurse wheeled her chair for a routine checkup, Avery heard a commotion in the hallway. Curiosity piqued, she turned her head just in time to see Ethan standing in the next room, a magnificent bouquet of roses in his hands. His voice, filled with emotion, reached her ears as he confessed to Sophia.

“Sophia, I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on you eight years ago. All those ‘coincidences’ were my attempts to get closer to you. I remember everything about you—your likes, your dreams. I never had the courage to tell you how I felt back then. Will you give me a chance now?”

Avery felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her, remembering how Ethan had been preparing for this moment long before Sophia left for her trip. Though their timing had been off, it seemed fate had simply delayed what was meant to be.

When she heard Sophia’s soft “Yes,” a small smile crept onto Avery’s face, and she continued toward the examination room, a warmth blooming in her chest. As she turned away, the crowd of onlookers erupted into applause, their joy echoing in the corridor.

Ethan, hearing the applause, turned to see Avery’s solitary figure retreating. His smile faltered for a moment, a strange sensation stirring within him, a mix of pride and an unshakeable sense of loss.

“20:28,” he thought, a fleeting moment of discomfort passing before he was swept away by the happiness radiating from Sophia. He pulled her into his arms, the world around them fading as they embraced the promise of their future together.

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20:28