Seven Years of Love Seven Minutes of Truth

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 didn’t 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 that’s him?” he asked, his voice quiet. “The ex–boyfriend who pretended to be poor?”

I nodded.

Outside, winter had settled in fully.

frosted windowpanes, blanketing the city in

slipping through the narrow cracks, sending an icy chill

trying to

Erike moved first.

he stepped forward and shut the

last breath of frigid air slipped through,

it was

I stilled.

the words didn’t register.

Then, realization dawned.

was echoing Pax’s words.“What are you looking

this time,there was no teasing.

51.24

Chapter 21

Only quiet hesitation.

tips of his ears tinged red from the cold.

usually steady gaze flickering

Expectation.

unspoken hope.

I ever felt

Maybe.

spent countless nights side by side, working until