Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 77

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

The atmosphere in the room was electric, charged with excitement and laughter, as the birthday party for Avery unfolded. It was halfway through the festivities when Ethan and Sophia took center stage, a triumphant duo, and announced their wedding date.

In that moment, the realization hit Avery like a cold wave crashing over her. This wasn’t merely a celebration of another year in her life; it was also an engagement party. The weight of the revelation pressed down on her chest, suffocating her feelings.

As the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, cheers and congratulations filled the air, echoing against the walls. Avery, however, found herself isolated in a corner, a silent observer of the joyous scene unfolding before her. She watched Ethan and Sophia lean into each other, their lips meeting in a tender kiss, their faces illuminated by blissful smiles. Yet, inside her, there was an unsettling void.

When the time came for toasts, Sophia approached, her arm entwined with Ethan’s, radiating happiness. With a glass raised high, she beamed at Avery. “Avery! You and Ethan are such good friends. Would you do me the honor of being my bridesmaid at our wedding?”

Avery barely hesitated before responding, her tone flat and devoid of regret. “Sorry, I’ve got plans that day. Can’t make it.” The words slipped from her lips with an ease that felt foreign, a stark contrast to the celebration around her.

Ethan’s expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes at her blunt dismissal. He shot her a cold, piercing look that felt like ice against her skin. “Ugh, whatever. Just make sure the gift shows up, even if you don’t.”

Avery nodded slightly, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. “Don’t worry. For a friend like you, I’ll make sure the check has plenty of zeros.” Her voice was soft, yet it rang hollow, devoid of the sincerity she tried to convey.

To Ethan, her words sounded genuine, as if she truly wished them well, but deep down, he remembered the whispers he had overheard at the store. Complicated emotions flickered across his face, a mixture of confusion and frustration.

Just then, the soft strains of piano music filled the room, wrapping around them like a warm embrace. In a moment of instinct, he took Sophia’s hand, guiding her toward the dance floor. The spotlight followed them, illuminating their figures as they glided across the floor, their movements graceful and fluid, like butterflies dancing in the sunlight.

As they twirled, the guests around them couldn’t help but whisper in admiration. “They’re perfect together! But isn’t getting engaged after only a month kinda rushed?” one guest remarked, a hint of skepticism in their voice.

“You don’t understand. Ethan’s been crushing on Sophia forever. Now that he’s finally got her, of course he’s locking it down fast,” another replied, their tone laced with excitement.

As the music shifted tempo, the crowd began to switch partners, and Avery froze, her heart racing when she felt Ethan’s hand grasp hers. She lowered her gaze, unsure of how to navigate this sudden closeness.

They had barely completed one turn when calamity struck. The crystal chandelier overhead, a beautiful but precarious fixture, came loose with a deafening crash, sending shards of glass spiraling down.

Instinctively, Ethan released her hand, rushing to shield Sophia from the impending danger. He pulled her away with urgency, leaving Avery behind. In that fleeting moment, she struggled to maintain her balance, the chandelier grazing her shoulder and slicing a deep gash across her hand.

Crimson blood soaked into her white dress, a stark contrast that mirrored the chaos around her. Pain shot through her body, forcing a cry from her lips, her face turning ghostly pale as the world around her blurred.

Just a few steps away, Ethan held Sophia tenderly, comforting her as they hurried out of the chaos. Not once did he glance back at Avery, leaving her in a silence that felt deafening.

In the aftermath, as the party continued in disarray, Avery was left alone, the vibrant colors of the celebration fading into a dull gray, the laughter and joy around her nothing but a distant echo.