Chapter 8
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Austin took me off his block list and sent me a flood of messages.
“I never wanted you to pay me back. I helped you because I genuinely wanted to, not because I expected anything in
return.
“Don’t take what Ruth said to heart. That’s just her personality.
“I only blocked you because I was so upset.
“What have you been up to lately?
“Can’t we just go back to how things were? Please?”
I pretended not to see any of his messages. Instead, I sent him all the photos I’d taken recently.
The cookies I baked for Evan. The envelopes for my love letters. Two screenshots of my conversations with Evan- nothing important, but I was the one reaching out, maybe a little too eagerly.
Still, every time I messaged Evan, he always replied, even if it was just a few words.
After I sent all the photos, Austin went quiet for a long time.
Then I got a voice message from him, his tone icy, each word sounding like it had been forced through clenched
teeth.
“Well, thanks a lot. You really went above and beyond for me.”
I replied humbly, “Just doing what I should.”
He didn’t respond again.
That night, I searched online for a place to eat and texted Liana to invite her out.
She suggested we call a few more friends and really make a night of it. I agreed.
After dinner, we all headed to a karaoke bar. Halfway through the night, I stepped outside and heard my name.
“I’ve made up my mind, let’s get back together. There’s no way I’ll ever end up with him. As for Miley, just get rid of her. She’s been in your life for seven years, and honestly, it drives me crazy.
“She said it herself today–she’ll leave you.”
It was Ruth’s voice.
I looked over and saw Ruth curled up in Austin’s arms.
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Chapter 8
Austin looked lost, “You…”
Before he could finish, Ruth stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
I quickly turned away, hurrying off in the opposite direction.
Well, that’s that.
I didn’t need to chase after Evan anymore–honestly, the whole thing had been ridiculous from the start.
But I never expected to run into Evan right then.
Clearly, he’d seen everything. He walked over and handed me a tissue.
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Pathetic. I’d already told myself I was done, even made a show of it, but seeing them together for real, I couldn’t help it.
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
This time, I didn’t play tough. I took the tissue and wiped my eyes.
“Thank you, Mr. Vancott.
“But you know, you were right not to say yes to me. I’m really nothing special–not good enough for you. Just forget everything that happened these past weeks. I won’t bother you anymore.”
Evan paused, then looked me straight in the eye. “No.”
I blinked. “What?”
His tone dropped, turning serious.
“I mean, I never thought you weren’t good enough for me.
“I turned you down because you were only chasing me for someone else, not because you really wanted to.
“Austin put you up to it, didn’t he?
“He’s done a lot for you, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything he asks, you know?
“There are a thousand ways to repay a debt.
“Miley, you picked the dumbest one.”
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