Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 85

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

Ethan felt the familiar sting of being overlooked, a sensation that washed over him like a cold wave, leaving him feeling utterly powerless. The vibrant spark that usually danced in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a shadow of despair.

His parents, attuned to his moods, caught the flicker of disappointment etched across his face, and concern knit their brows together.

“What did Avery say?” they inquired, their voices tinged with worry, as if they sensed the gravity of the situation.

In that moment, Ethan found himself at a crossroads of honesty and fear. How could he possibly convey to them that his relationship with Avery had deteriorated to a point of no return? The words she had hurled at him echoed in his mind, sharp and unforgiving, yet he couldn’t bring himself to repeat them aloud.

With a heavy heart, he settled for a vague response, one that felt like a betrayal of the truth but was easier to manage. “She doesn’t want her parents to know about this and meet us. She wants us to go home,” he muttered, the weight of his words pressing down on him like a leaden blanket.

His parents’ expressions fell, their hearts sinking into a chasm of disappointment. When they had first learned about the complications between the two families, they had held on to the hope that open and honest dialogue could mend the rift. They envisioned a future where the children could reconcile, allowing both families to grow closer than ever before.

But now, as they processed the gravity of Avery’s stance, it became painfully clear that such a resolution seemed increasingly unlikely.

Sighing deeply, they exchanged glances filled with unspoken understanding.

“If Avery doesn’t want to see us, then we’ll respect that. But Ethan, you still owe her an apology. We cannot allow your mistake to tarnish decades of friendship between our families,” his father said firmly, a note of authority lacing his tone.

Ethan remained silent, the words lodged in his throat like stones. His mood had plummeted into the depths of despair, and he felt as though he were adrift in a sea of his own making.

The family made arrangements for direct flights to Barcelona, a decision that felt both necessary and suffocating.

Upon landing, Mr. Miller wasted no time; he reached out to Mr. Collins to lay bare the troubling circumstances that had unfolded.

That evening, the two families gathered at a seaside restaurant, the sun casting a golden hue over the waves. It had been a month since Ethan had last seen Avery, and now, as he observed her from across the table, he noted that she looked thinner, though her complexion still bore a healthy glow.

For the first thirty minutes, she remained ensconced in her corner, silent and withdrawn, offering only a brief “hello” before retreating into her thoughts.

Meanwhile, the parents engaged in small talk, discussing various topics to fill the uncomfortable silence. When the conversation turned to the recent cancellation of a wedding, the Collins family expressed their surprise, curiosity piqued.

An awkward silence enveloped the room, thick and uncomfortable.

Her parents, baffled by her rudeness, exchanged apologetic glances. “We’re so sorry. Avery doesn’t always think before she speaks. She’s just worried you won’t enjoy yourselves without us. Please don’t take it the wrong way,” her mother said, attempting to smooth over the tension.

“That’s right. Avery, apologize to Uncle and Auntie Miller right now. They’ve come all this way. We can visit your aunt next month,” her father added, his tone firm yet gentle.

If this were merely a matter of tourism, Avery would have felt indifferent. But deep down, she understood that this was about more than just a vacation. It was a matter of unresolved feelings, of pain that had festered beneath the surface.

In her mind, this situation was strictly between her and Ethan; it should never have involved their families. She had fought tooth and nail to keep her parents from discovering the raw, painful emotions that had been simmering within her, trying desperately to avoid this very confrontation.

But now, with her parents refusing to let the matter drop, all the hurt and anger she had been bottling up surged to the forefront. The façade she had maintained began to crumble, and she could no longer pretend to care about appearances.

“Mom, Dad. I’m not the one who needs to apologize here,” she declared, her voice steady as she laid bare the truth that had been gnawing at her heart.