Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 39

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**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**

**Chapter 39**

Bryce stood before me, holding a Tesen cake like it was the most precious treasure in the world. The sight of it brought back a flood of memories, sweet and bitter, but I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on that now.

As I watched him, a thought crossed my mind—aside from my mother, I had kept my address a secret from everyone. How had he figured it out? It was likely he had pieced it together from my Instagram photos, the snapshots of my life that I had shared so freely, unaware of their implications.

His gaze bore into my face, and he said, “You look thinner.”

I nearly laughed, a bitter sound caught in my throat. If only he knew the truth—that I had actually gained weight, all thanks to Felix’s indulgent cooking. It was ironic, really, how appearances could be so misleading.

“I know you don’t want to see me, but I had to come anyway,” he continued, his voice laced with a mix of desperation and hope.

He pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he navigated through his chat history. “I ended it with her. For good. Does that change anything?”

I responded with a flat, emotionless tone, “No. It doesn’t. We’re over. Stop coming here.”

I could see the facade of his composure begin to crack, the mask of confidence slipping away. “Maddie, please—don’t shut me out.”

His hand reached for mine, a shaky grip that felt both familiar and foreign. “Yell at me. Hit me. Just don’t say we’re done.”

In a swift motion, I yanked my hand back, sending the cake tumbling into a nearby bin with a soft thud.

“What’s the point? Where was this energy before?” I spat, my voice cold as ice.

“You called me a crybaby. A drama queen. But you knew I was raised being loved. I never cried over anyone until you,” I continued, my heart racing with anger and hurt.

“You told me you picked Michigan so we could be together. I was happy… until I found out it was really for her,” he replied, his voice tinged with regret.

I shook my head vehemently. “You played us both. And I was the fool who trusted you.”

Bryce stood there, frozen in shock, his mouth opening and closing as he searched for words that wouldn’t come.

“That night you ghosted me during training camp? I was worried sick. I fell. I was bleeding. And you?” I could feel the sharpness of my voice cutting through the air. “You were holding her.”