Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

DYLAN

A

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I was massaging my neck as I made my way to the dining table. I slept on the couch last night since this apartment only has one room. And obviously, I will not allow my parents to sleep on the couch so I can sleep comfortably. This situation wasn’t easy for them as it is for me. At least I’m still young and still manage to endure our current situation.

“Did you have a good night’s sleep, Dylan?” my father asked as he sipped his coffee.

“I didn’t. But don’t worry, I’ll get used to it,” I replied.

“Maybe you can just take up the room, sweetheart,” my mom suggested as she poured me some coffee from the pot.

“It’s fine, Mom. You need it better than I do,” I insisted before taking a sip from my cup. But I immediately winced when the taste of cheap coffee touched my tongue.

My parents noticed my reaction and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. This is the best coffee we can get from the supermarket downtown. It’s the cheapest one, so saying it was the best was probably not the right term,” my mom explained as she slowly lowered her head as if she was ashamed.

I blew a loud sigh. “How long have you been living like this?” I asked.

They both looked at each other as if they were trying to align what they were going to say. Before they could even say another lie, I reminded them, “No lies this time, please?”

They forced a smile on their faces before my mom started answering, “It’s been two months,” she said.

“Two months?! And you didn’t even bother telling me? I could have helped!” I exclaimed.

“I know you would, sweetheart. That’s why we wouldn’t want to tell you. We’re the grown–ups here, so I don’t want to burden you with our mistakes,” my dad replied. “I’m your father. I should be the one taking care of my child, not you,” he added.

“And look where it got you, Dad. You’re living worse than our pets!” I didn’t mean to say that. I know they already had a hard time more than they should. Blaming them will not do any good. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that,” I quickly apologized.

“No worries, sweetheart. It’s the truth,” said my

dad.

I took a deep breath before I forced a smile on my face, hoping it would lighten up the mood. “I’ll take care of everything. I’ll make a few calls to our families and friends. I’m also going to look for a job. I’ll call the dance studio I used to go to to check if they have openings.”

Mom walked over to me, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and hope. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry we’ve put you through all of this, Dylan,” she said gently. “But I want you to remember–it’s not too late to go back to Beckett. I’m sure he’ll understand if you just talk to him.”

I sighed, the weight of her words pressing on my chest. “Mom, we’ve been over this already,” I said, my voice

10:24 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 7

firmer this time. “There’s no way I’m going back to that awful place–not while Sarah is still there.”

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The thought of stepping foot in that house, of pretending everything was fine with Sarah under the same roof, made my stomach churn. Beckett might have been willing to make it work, but I couldn’t. Not like this.

Mom looked at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. “You’re so stubborn, just like your father,” she murmured with a faint smile, but there was worry in her eyes.

“Then you’ll know that there’s no way I’m going to beg Beckett to take me back. I can only take enough humiliation.”

Mom sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “I just don’t want you to regret anything, Dylan. Sometimes pride can keep us from fixing what’s broken.”

“This isn’t about pride, Mom,” I said, my voice softer now but no less determined. “It’s about respect–respect for myself. Beckett crossed a line when he brought Sarah into our home, and I can’t just pretend that didn’t happen. It’s not something you can fix with a simple apology or by sweeping it under the rug.”

Mom sat down beside me, taking my hand in hers. “I know you’re hurt, sweetheart. I can see it in your eyes. But running away won’t make the pain go away. Maybe if you just talk to him…”

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