Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 58

**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**
**Chapter 58**

“Our house feels so empty; would you mind if we joined your game?” Mrs. Carter inquired, her voice brimming with the familiar warmth that had always drawn us together.

It had become a cherished tradition for us to ring in the New Year as a family, a ritual that had persisted through the years—until everything changed. This year, my mother had graciously turned down their invitation for dinner, yet it was impossible to refuse guests who appeared at your doorstep with such cheerful anticipation.

As the evening unfolded, Aiden instinctively settled into the chair beside mine, his eyes focused intently on the poker game in front of us. My cousins, blissfully ignorant of the complexities of our shared past, continued to throw around their playful jabs about “when’s the wedding?” I chuckled at their jokes, expertly masking the tension that was building within Aiden with each quip. I could see his jaw clench tighter, a silent storm brewing behind his calm exterior.

When the clock struck midnight, signaling the arrival of the New Year, everyone rushed outside to witness the explosion of fireworks lighting up the night sky. In that moment, Aiden grasped my arm, a silent plea in his eyes, clearly yearning for a moment of clarity between us. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket, breaking the fragile connection we shared.

Feeling a flush creep up my cheeks, I reluctantly withdrew from his grasp to answer the call. It was Jake from my photography club back at Stanford—a local guy from California with a laugh that could brighten the cloudiest of days. He was the antithesis of Aiden, radiating a carefree spirit, always armed with a corny joke or an outrageous tale that could make anyone chuckle.

“I just wanted to count down the New Year with you, Brooklyn,” he said, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “I didn’t want to celebrate alone, you know?” I placed him on speaker, allowing his infectious energy to weave its way into our family’s celebrations, even from miles away.

Before we wrapped up our call, he chuckled softly, a hint of shyness creeping into his tone. “Honestly, though, I just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy New Year. So… happy New Year, Brooklyn!”

A genuine smile spread across my face as I returned his sentiment, chatting for a few more moments before reluctantly ending the call. When I finally turned back to Aiden, I found him standing there, his expression colder than the winter air outside.

“Boyfriend?” he asked, his voice gravelly, as if the words had been dragged through the gravel of his frustration.

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