Chapter 21 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 didnt 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 thats him ? he asked , his voice quiet .
The ex boyfriend who pretended to be poor ? I nodded .
Outside , winter had settled in fully .
Thick snowflakes drifted past the frosted windowpanes , blanketing the city in silver and white .
The wind howled , slipping through the narrow cracks , sending an icy chill through the room .
I curled my fingers , trying to shake off the numbness .
Erike moved first .
Without a word , he stepped forward and shut the window , sealing out the cold .
And just as the last breath of frigid air slipped through , his voice followed soft , deliberate , unmistakable .
Cant you pretend … that it was for me ? I stilled .
18:22 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 57.8 % Chapter 21 For a second , the words didnt register .
Then , realization dawned , He was echoing Paxs words .
What are you looking at ? Only this time , there was no teasing .
No arrogance .
Only quiet hesitation .
Erike turned toward me , the tips of his ears tinged red from the cold .
He pressed his lips together , his usually steady gaze flickering with something uncertain .
Expectation .
A quiet , unspoken hope .
Had I ever felt something for him ? Maybe .

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After all , we had spent countless nights side by side , working until exhaustion blurred the edges of reality .
But feelings born out of proximity were just that a passing warmth , not a fire .
And so , I shook my head .
I cant .
He didnt react .
Didnt argue .
He had probably expected my answer .
Outside , the snow kept falling endless , silent , indifferent .
And deep inside , I knew- There would be no more detours .
No more hesitation .
58.1 % Chapter 21 The road ahead was mine alone to walk and I had already chosen .
I wasnt here to linger in love stories .
I was here to live my own life