Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 74

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

**Chapter 74**

That evening, as the city lights of New York flickered against the twilight sky, Avery found herself engrossed in searching for flights to Spain. The thought of leaving everything behind for a fresh start was both exhilarating and terrifying. Just as she confirmed her booking, the door swung open with a force that startled her. Ethan burst in, a wide grin plastered on his face, and Sophia followed closely behind him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Avery! You won’t believe the news—Sophia and I are officially together now!” Ethan announced, his voice brimming with pride. He looked at her as if he were sharing the greatest triumph of his life. “See? I told my buddy first. That’s what bros do, right?”

Avery’s gaze fell to their clasped hands, a sight that twisted her stomach in knots. She managed to nod, her voice barely rising above a whisper. “Congrats,” she said, the word feeling heavy on her tongue.

Sophia’s expression lit up like a thousand stars. “Thank you so much! Your mom mentioned you got hurt pretty badly. Are you feeling any better? I made some fish soup. Would you like to have some?” She nudged Ethan playfully, urging him to serve the meal she had prepared with care.

Avery observed Ethan spring into action, eager to please Sophia. It was a moment that felt surreal, as if time had slowed down. After a brief pause, she finally mustered the courage to speak. “Thanks, but… I’m really not in the mood for any soup.”

Ethan’s demeanor shifted instantly, darkness clouding his features. “Seriously?” he snapped, a hint of anger creeping into his voice. “Sophia made this herself! I didn’t even want to share it with you! But she cares about your stupid injuries. God, you’re such an ungrateful bitch!” His frustration boiled over as he roughly thrust a bowl into her hands, insisting she drink it immediately.

Avery’s heart raced as she tried to explain her aversion, but before she could finish, Ethan seized her wrist with a grip that felt more like a vice than a hand. In the chaos, the bowl tipped over, and scalding soup splattered against her wounds.

“AHHH!” The scream escaped her lips before she could contain it, pain radiating through her body as cold sweat broke out on her forehead. The agony twisted her face into a mask of distress.

Sophia recoiled in horror, her hands flying to her mouth as she watched the scene unfold. Frantically, she grabbed napkins, her face pale and panicked, desperate to help.

Ethan, in a protective instinct, pulled Sophia behind him as if to shield her from the fallout. “Babe, don’t! This isn’t your fault. Avery’s always been tough. She’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.” But his words fell flat against the backdrop of Avery’s pain.

Trembling, Avery clutched the tissue, her hands shaking uncontrollably. It felt as if a weight was pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, her father burst through the door, his eyes widening in alarm as he took in the sight of his daughter’s wounds bleeding anew. “Get a nurse!” he shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

Her mother rushed in behind him, her eyes darting to Sophia. “Honey, Avery is allergic to seafood. She can’t have fish soup. But thank you for thinking of her,” she explained, her tone soothing yet firm.