Seven Years of Love Seven Minutes of Truth

Chapter 5

The air was thick with the heat of summer, heavy and stifling. But I–standing there, listening to her words–felt nothing but cold seeping into my bones.

Nina’s voice was smooth, deliberate. Every syllable she spoke was like the careful edge of a knife, meant to cut clean and deep.

he was only wit

“She knew all along, Pax. She knew exactly who you were. She was only with you for the money.”

For a moment, Pax just stood there.

Motionless.

As if the accusation had stolen the breath from his lungs.

His brows drew together, eyes searching mine, desperate for something–denial, maybe. Reassurance.

“You knew?” His voice was quiet, cautious, like he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear my answer.

I met his gaze for a fleeting second before lowering my eyes.

Yes.

I knew.

I had found out just yesterday.

the truth didn’t

didn’t believe me.

his hair, shaking his head as if trying to piece together something that no longer made

I have to admit–you’re a damn good actress.”

irony nearly made me laugh.

was the one who had

fiction, played a part so flawlessly

And yet–he

one who was angry?

for money?” His voice was hoarse, weighted with something thick and unreadable.

lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Two years. Two years, and you never slipped up. You must’ve been laughing at me

23:05

of Love,

Chapter 5

I said nothing.

what was there

had already decided on the truth

out. Thought he had pulled back

a way, he wasn’t entirely

loved

exhaustion, to count every single dollar as if my

I can afford my studies abroad. To finish the education I had been

all, these past two years, he had been playing his own

man. The devoted lover. The boy who had nothing.