Seven Years Secret, I Stopped Chasing - Chapter 7: Chapter 7
You are reading Seven Years Secret, I Stopped Chasing, Chapter 7: Chapter 7. Read more chapters of Seven Years Secret, I Stopped Chasing.
"How the hell should I know? I took a wild guess," Cyril said, dropping the takeout box on the table before flopping onto the couch. "Face it—you're the only guy she treats differently. If there wasn't something going on between you two, why would she—"
"Or," I cut in evenly, "maybe it's just because of my sister? Serena's practically family. There's no way anything romantic could happen between us."
Truth was, we should've never crossed that line in the first place. Clearing the air now would just reset things to how they were meant to be.
Cyril squinted at me like he was trying to spot a lie. "Seriously? You're telling me you don't have feelings for her?"
"Not a chance."
After everything from my past life—after learning how she really felt—whatever love I'd had for her had died long ago.
"Alright, if you say so." He stood with a half-shrug. "You're a decent guy, Albion—sharp, kind, got your shit together. If Serena weren't in the picture, we might've actually been friends."
His words clung to me long after he left, dragging up memories I'd buried.
Last time around, he'd hunted me down.
Shown me their entire history—candid photos, texts dripping with intimacy, inside jokes that carved holes in my chest. "She's only with you out of pity," he'd said. "Cut her loose now, or you'll regret it later."
I'd laughed in his face back then. Convinced myself Serena loved me. That she'd be my happy ending.
Turns out, the joke was on me.
Maybe his words had wormed deeper than I'd admitted, because when I dozed off that afternoon, my dreams were a reel of Serena—past and present versions tangled together.
I woke up sticky with sweat, sheets twisted around me.
After steadying my breathing, I grabbed clean clothes and hit the shower. When I returned, my phone glowed faintly on the nightstand.
Ten missed calls. All from Serena.
I left them unanswered. No voicemail, no text. Instead, I shot Stephanie a message:
[Me: Change of plans. Heading home early—won't be riding back with you guys.]
Our three-day trip got cut to one. I slipped out before dawn; only Steph knew.
The five-hour bus ride dragged, but the moment I walked through my apartment door, Mom's call came through.
"Word is you're finally dating," she announced, bypassing hello. "There's a lovely girl from our church—two years younger, beautiful smile, kind heart. You should meet her."
College graduation had turned Mom into a relentless matchmaker. I'd always shut her down before.
She never knew about Serena.
This time, I surprised us both. "Set it up."
A beat of silence. "...That's it? No arguing?" Her voice pitched higher. "Did something happen?"
I forced a laugh. "What, can't a guy trust his mom's taste? Just tell me when and where."
"Consider it done!" She practically vibrated through the phone.
After hanging up, I buried myself in work.
Last life, I'd turned down a promotion for Serena. Sacrificed everything for "love" and ended up with nothing but regrets.
Not this time.
This time, my career came first.
I powered off my phone and worked straight through until 9 PM, when my empty stomach finally protested.
"Or," I cut in evenly, "maybe it's just because of my sister? Serena's practically family. There's no way anything romantic could happen between us."
Truth was, we should've never crossed that line in the first place. Clearing the air now would just reset things to how they were meant to be.
Cyril squinted at me like he was trying to spot a lie. "Seriously? You're telling me you don't have feelings for her?"
"Not a chance."
After everything from my past life—after learning how she really felt—whatever love I'd had for her had died long ago.
"Alright, if you say so." He stood with a half-shrug. "You're a decent guy, Albion—sharp, kind, got your shit together. If Serena weren't in the picture, we might've actually been friends."
His words clung to me long after he left, dragging up memories I'd buried.
Last time around, he'd hunted me down.
Shown me their entire history—candid photos, texts dripping with intimacy, inside jokes that carved holes in my chest. "She's only with you out of pity," he'd said. "Cut her loose now, or you'll regret it later."
I'd laughed in his face back then. Convinced myself Serena loved me. That she'd be my happy ending.
Turns out, the joke was on me.
Maybe his words had wormed deeper than I'd admitted, because when I dozed off that afternoon, my dreams were a reel of Serena—past and present versions tangled together.
I woke up sticky with sweat, sheets twisted around me.
After steadying my breathing, I grabbed clean clothes and hit the shower. When I returned, my phone glowed faintly on the nightstand.
Ten missed calls. All from Serena.
I left them unanswered. No voicemail, no text. Instead, I shot Stephanie a message:
[Me: Change of plans. Heading home early—won't be riding back with you guys.]
Our three-day trip got cut to one. I slipped out before dawn; only Steph knew.
The five-hour bus ride dragged, but the moment I walked through my apartment door, Mom's call came through.
"Word is you're finally dating," she announced, bypassing hello. "There's a lovely girl from our church—two years younger, beautiful smile, kind heart. You should meet her."
College graduation had turned Mom into a relentless matchmaker. I'd always shut her down before.
She never knew about Serena.
This time, I surprised us both. "Set it up."
A beat of silence. "...That's it? No arguing?" Her voice pitched higher. "Did something happen?"
I forced a laugh. "What, can't a guy trust his mom's taste? Just tell me when and where."
"Consider it done!" She practically vibrated through the phone.
After hanging up, I buried myself in work.
Last life, I'd turned down a promotion for Serena. Sacrificed everything for "love" and ended up with nothing but regrets.
Not this time.
This time, my career came first.
I powered off my phone and worked straight through until 9 PM, when my empty stomach finally protested.
End of Seven Years Secret, I Stopped Chasing Chapter 7. Continue reading Chapter 8 or return to Seven Years Secret, I Stopped Chasing book page.