How Not To Fall For A Dragon (Lexi and Blake) novel Chapter 119

How Not To Fall For A Dragon

Chapter 119 119- Do Not Fall For The Apology Smile

LEXI

“I hear you.” I say quietly. But I don’t go back to him. The space between us stays there, deliberate and heavy, and for a moment neither of us moves. Blake

slowly stands, like he’s not entirely sure what to do next, like any sudden movement might make things worse. The silence stretches, thick and

uncomfortable, and I can feel the weight of everything sitting between us.

“Are we done, Lexi?” His voice is soft. Careful. And there’s something in it that makes my chest tighten. Fear. Real fear. I know exactly what he’s asking. Not

about the conversation. About us. I hesitate because I don’t want to hurt him. But I also can’t lie.

“I don’t know.” I admit. The words feel heavy leaving my mouth, uncertain and incomplete, but they’re the truth. Blake moves then, stepping around me so he’s back in front of me again, trying to catch my eyes, trying to see me properly. I can feel the tension in him, the way he’s bracing for the answer before

he even asks.

“Are we still together?” He asks. This time, I don’t hesitate. Because this part… This part I do know.

“No.” The word comes out firm. Final. I don’t know what the future holds, but right now I don’t trust him enough to be in any kind of romantic relationship

with him. It lands between us like something solid. Blake stills. Completely. I watch it happen, the way his shoulders go rigid, the way his expression emptjes out just slightly, like he’s shutting something down before it can show.

“Right.” He says. His tone is blank. Too blank. Like he’s forcing it to be.

“Are we still friends?” He asks after a second, and there’s something more fragile in that question, something quieter, like he already knows the answer

might not be what he wants. I sigh, the sound tired more than anything.

“I want us to be. But I need to think about it. Because right now… I just don’t know if it’s possible.” I tell him honestly. That hurts him. I can see it. But he doesn’t argue. Doesn’t push. He just nods once, accepting it. His eyes drop slightly, landing on my neck, my wrists, where his gifts used to be. I can see the

flicker of recognition, of understanding.

“You didn’t need to give them back.” He says quietly. I shrug, not really agreeing, not really arguing. I never really completely accepted them as mine

anyway, although the bracelet that is still tucked away in my pocket weighs heavily on me. That secret spark of hope I still have for us.

“I really am sorry, Lexi, I’m going to fix things. You’ll forgive me eventually.” He says again, more firmly this time, like he needs me to understand that part.

I look at him. And for a second, I wish I had his certainty. Because to him, this is something that can be fixed. Something he can do something about. But

for me… It’s not about forgiveness. It’s about trust. And I don’t know how to rebuild that yet.

“I hope you’re right.” I say softly. Blake gives me a small, tentative smile, like that answer is enough to hold onto.

“That’s something at least.” He says, trying for optimism. And I let him have it. Even if I’m not sure I believe it.

Blake looks around the vault, his gaze moving over the shelves, the piles, the scattered pieces of gold and stone like he’s seeing it all differently now.

“Pick something.” He says. I blink at him.

“Huh?” I ask.

“Pick something.” He repeats, a little more quietly this time. I frown, the meaning settling in and immediately sitting wrong in my chest.

“You can’t just give me something and fix things, Blake.” I tell him firmly.

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4:55 pm

Chapter 119 119- Do Not Fall For The Apology Smile

“That’s not what I’m doing.” He says quickly, like he expected that response.

“I just want… I just…” He exhales, frustrated with himself.

“Do you want something? Anything?” He asks. Before I can answer, he starts moving through the room. And I realise, he knows exactly where I’ve been. Exactly what I touched. He goes straight to the shelf with the emerald necklace I picked up earlier, lifting it without hesitation.

“This one?” He asks, holding it out to me. I shake my head.

“No.” I respond. He doesn’t argue. Just sets it down and moves on, already reaching for something else.

“A bodk?” He tries next, pulling one of the older volumes from the shelf I stopped at earlier. I shake my head again.

“No, Blake. I don’t want a book.” I answer. He keeps going anyway. It’s almost… Frantic. Not loud. Not panicked. But there’s a quiet urgency to it, like he’s searching for the right thing. The thing that will fix this. The thing that will make everything go back to how it was. He offers me diamonds next. Then something small and intricate that probably costs more than my entire house. Then something else. And something else. Each time, I say no. Each time, his movements get a little slower. A little less certain.

“Blake, stop.” I say finally, my voice firmer now.

“I don’t want or need anything from your hoard.” I say leaving no space for argument. That makes him pause. Really pause. For a second, he just stands

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