Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Pax Brown came as suddenly as he left .

One moment , he was here his presence unsettling the entire lab , turning heads , lowering voices into hushed whispers .

The next , he was gone .

No explanations .

No drawn out goodbyes .

The others didnt understand .

I let out a slow breath , feeling the weight lift from my chest .

Beside me , Erike lowered his gaze , his long eyelashes trembling ever so slightly .

But his expression remained unreadable .

So thats him ? he asked , his voice quiet .

The ex boyfriend who pretended to be poor ? I nodded .

Outside , winter had settled in fully .

Thick snowflakes drifted past the frosted windowpanes , blanketing the city in silver and white .

The wind howled , slipping through the narrow cracks , sending an icy chill through the room .

I curled my fingers , trying to shake off the numbness .

Erike moved first .

Without a word , he stepped forward and shut the window , sealing out the cold .

And just as the last breath of frigid air slipped through , his voice followed soft , deliberate , unmistakable .

Cant you pretend … that it was for me ? I stilled .

18:22 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 57.8 % Chapter 21 For a second , the words didnt register .

Then , realization dawned , He was echoing Paxs words .

What are you looking at ? Only this time , there was no teasing .

No arrogance .

Only quiet hesitation .

Erike turned toward me , the tips of his ears tinged red from the cold .

He pressed his lips together , his usually steady gaze flickering with something uncertain .

Expectation .

A quiet , unspoken hope .

Had I ever felt something for him ? Maybe .

After all , we had spent countless nights side by side , working until exhaustion blurred the edges of reality .

But feelings born out of proximity were just that a passing warmth , not a fire .

And so , I shook my head .

I cant .

He didnt react .

Didnt argue .

He had probably expected my answer .

Outside , the snow kept falling endless , silent , indifferent .

And deep inside , I knew- There would be no more detours .

No more hesitation .

58.1 % Chapter 21 The road ahead was mine alone to walk and I had already chosen .

I wasnt here to linger in love stories .

I was here to live my own life

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