Chapter 7
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Axl went inside after the doctor stitched my wrist. I remembered his words, and they bored down on me and thickened the air between us. His eyes locked onto mine, still with worry, desperation, and regret. And I couldn’t understand what I was. feeling. Some of me understood him and wanted to forgive and take him back, but there was also a part that did not.
“How are you feeling,” Axl broke the silence.
“I’m okay,” I replied with a smile.
There was silence once again as we headed outside. I got discharged and thought of telling Axl I would take a cab home. But before I could speak, Axl said, “There‘ s nothing between me and Lia. Please believe me. I wasn’t lying to you about that. She was a childhood friend who left and came back. I’ve always looked after her, and when she returned, I guess that habit
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didn’t outgrow me. But it has always been you. You’re the one, my mate.”
I stood frozen with my heart hammering in my chest. My lips quivered as I tried to respond, but anger bubbled within me, making it hard to speak calmly.
“Axl, you say there’s nothing between you two,” I began, my voice low and unsteady, “but does that include
proposing to her when you were drunk? Does that not count because you couldn’t think straight?
Axl’s face went pale. He stared at me to search for the right words, but nothing came. The silence grew with truths that remained unspoken on his lips. And guilt covered his face.
I clenched my fists when I didn’t hear him respond, but I tried hard to stay calm.
“You can’t just dismiss that, Axl. You can’t stand here and tell me it meant nothing, not after what I saw.”
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His phone buzzed before he could even respond. I didn’t have to look at his phone to find out who it was. It was only Lia who would keep calling and needed him all the
time.
Axl reluctantly picked up the phone. He knew how irritated I was with it.
“I’m busy, Lia. I can’t deal with this right now,” he snapped.
Axl was about to hang up, but Lia hadn’t stopped talking.
“I know nothing about faucets. Lia, I am not a plumber. Go to the front desk or figure it out… Alright, I will be there soon.”
His irritation was evident, and it surprised me. But he was seeing Lia later, which probably meant Axl was just trying to make me feel better. The ache in my chest. deepened, but I didn’t utter a word.
Axl abruptly ended the call. His jaw clenched when he turned to look at me. I crossed my arms, my gaze hard and
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unwavering.
“You don’t have to explain anything. I’ve already made up my mind. We shouldn’t see each other again,” I said coldly.
Axl’s face contorted in disbelief, and his eyes flashed with panic.
“Lianna, no. Don’t say that. You can’t just walk away from us.”
I looked at him sternly.
“I can, and I will. I’m getting mated
soon… to Aiden. And I don’t want him to misunderstand any of this,” I said firmly, despite feeling broken inside.
Axl’s eyes widened, and he stood there. frozen for a moment. His mouth opened and closed, searching for the best words to convince me. But nothing came. Then, the elevator dinged and opened behind him. He turned and got torn between staying and leaving. And without a word, he walked inside the elevator.
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As the elevator doors closed behind him, I exhaled a shaky breath. A part of me wanted to chase after him, to explain that I never wanted us to end like this. But my head was telling me that I made the right choice.
Just as I was about to pull myself together, the elevator opened again, and Aiden appeared. His presence made me loosened. some nerves and calmed me. His eyes softened with concern etched on his face.
“Lianna, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said and rushed to wrap his arms around me.
I leaned into his embrace, and Aiden’s embrace calmed my racing heart.
“I’m fine,” I whispered, though the
words felt hollow.
Aiden pulled back slightly; his brows
furrowed in worry.
“Lianna, talk to me. What happened tonight? I received a call from the hospital,
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so I rushed to come here.”
“It was a rogue attack, but don’t worry. I only got a scratch, but you know I heal very slowly.”
“God, Lianna! I should’ve let you go home by yourself.”
“Hey, I was the stubborn one who insisted on being alone. Don’t blame yourself.”
Aiden studied me for a second, still concerned and worried.
“But what happened just now?”
I shook my head and smiled, “Nothing. I thought I just saw someone.”
“You know, I noticed you‘ ve been off since you saw Axl. I don’t want you to feel like you‘ re carrying this alone.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away.
“I’m just tired, Aiden. That’s all.”
He just nodded and brushed a stray hair
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from my face.
“Alright. But if there’s ever anything you need, you know I’m here, right? You can always talk to me.”
I nodded with a heart filled with gratitude.
“I know.”
Aiden kissed my forehead, and I melted into his warmth, easing all the pain and tension tonight. As long as I had Aiden, everything would be okay. At least, that’s what I told myself.
I finally saw the difference between the two. Axl’s love was clouded with unresolved issues, entangled in complications and secrets. Aiden, on the other hand, was simple and unburdened, filled with genuine trust and care. His comfort was so sincere and unwavering, and he would even blame himself for not being there for me. And this was what I longed for my mate to be. Tonight reminded me of which arm I truly belonged.
