No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 177



"It's me!" The familiar voice echoed down the hallway.

I grabbed the railing abruptly, stopping in my tracks, my tense heart finally easing.

After a moment, I turned and headed up the stairs, spotting Ernest lurking in the shadows.

Recalling the awkwardness of our last encounter, I was at a loss for words. But the truth was, I was genuinely frightened. Putting on a facade of annoyance, I blurted out, "Don't you know you look like a scene from a horror movie standing there?"

"Yeah," that was his one-word reply.

And he had no idea how that single word could be so infuriating yet so exasperatingly cool.

Just as I was about to give him a piece of my mind, he murmured, "Won't happen again."

That left me speechless.

So, I pulled out my keys to unlock the door.

Just as I was about to turn the key, his voice filled the air once more, deep and solemn. “I overthought things tonight. It won't happen again."

it was my turn to be stunned. I turned around, and he was already stepping

it, our eyes

escaped after his door had shut,

He wasn't ready to end our pretend relationship. But I

to play the part of my boyfriend. Not because I feared he'd cling to me, but because

used by me, his first hug, handhold, and kiss all

I felt utterly despicable.

down by guilt, which made for a lousy night's sleep. My dreams were haunted by Ernest, following me meekly, murmuring, "Why did you kiss

a state of suppressed guilt,

the time, it was

already be up, probably out for

the best

getting ready, I made

merged into the early dawn, I realized how pathetic I felt, living in my own home

avoid Ernest, I started leaving early and coming back

night, returning to find a cold breakfast by my door

about

stop preparing breakfast for

but