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.

drifted past the frosted windowpanes, blanketing the city in silver

the narrow cracks, sending an icy chill

trying to shake

Erike moved first.

he stepped forward and shut the window,

of frigid air

pretend… that it was for me?”

I stilled.

the words

Then, realization dawned.

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

time,there was no teasing. No arrogance.

51.24

Chapter 21

Only quiet hesitation.

his ears tinged

his lips together, his usually steady gaze flickering with something

Expectation.

quiet, unspoken

ever felt

Maybe.

by side, working until

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