Desired by All and He Threw Away 38

Chapter 38 

Taylor’s POV 

+25 Bonus 

The cafeteria hums with the soft clatter of trays and the smell of grilled chicken drifting through the air., 

Sunlight filters through the high windows cutting sharp rectangles across the long tables.everyone’s halfway through their lunch break their voices overlapping in a low rhythmic buzz. 

i sit near the end of one of the staff tables pretending to focus on my salad even though my attention keeps drifting toward the center of the room.thats where Aiden is surrounded by teammates laughing at something one of them said., 

– 

he looks like he belongs there shoulders loose eyes crinkled at the edges.The sight feels almost foreign.it is really strange seeing him like this- so at ease in the world that once defined him. 

the laughter around him swells light and unguarded.then one of the younger players Jason leans back in his chair with a grin that carries too much confidence. 

“so Aiden,” he says dragging out the words. “when are we gonna meet your new girlfriend huh?” 

The room stumbles on that word. 

Its said in a joking tone but the effect is instant.a ripple goes through the table- snickers raised brows, exchanged glances. 

“Girlfriend?” someone echoes, all mock surprise. “Didn’t think you had time for romance, man.” 

“Guess even legends have soft spots,” another teases. 

the laughter grows warm and harmless on the surface— but can feel it curdle underneath.the kind of laughter that doesnt die fast enough. It is the kind that waits for a reaction. 

i know where this is going before it gets there. 

Aiden doesn’t laugh. 

The words slice through the easy chatter like a sudden drop in temperature. A few heads turn. Someone chuckles under their breath. Another murmurs, “Wait, what girlfriend?” 

My fork stills midair. 

i feel the shift before i even see it it is the way sound drains from the room replaced by a fragile kind of silence. Every movement seems slower now. The scrape of a spoon. The creak of a chair. 

Aiden still doesn’t laugh.his body goes stills shoulders tightening just slightly, the warmth that was there a moment ago vanishes like someone flipped a switch inside him.his jaw flexes once before he looks up. 

Jason’s grin falters.“come on man dont act like we didnt notice, why dont you let us meet her, maybe we all can be friends. We have seen the press conference with you and mysterious girlfriend, You’ve been different lately. 

Happier. Protective. We’re just saying, must be someone special.” 

the table waits for Aiden’s response with a mix of amusement and curiosity hanging very thick in the air. 

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Chapter 38 

+25 Bonus 

Aiden sets down his fork with a quiet click.when he finally speaks his voice is calm but sharp enough to cut through the noise. 

“Dont get any ideas that will never fucking happen” 

The words land heavy, quiet but commanding.No one moves. 

even from here i can see the tension in his jaw the quiet anger simmering under his calm.his gaze slides over the faces around him- steady deliberate unblinking.the kind of look that reminds everyone who theyre talking to. 

and for a second- barely a heartbeat- his eyes flick toward me. 

It’s quick. Controlled. But I see it anyway. That sharp flash of something fierce, protective, real. Then it’s gone. 

The moment breaks as quickly as it formed. Utensils clink again, chairs scrape, people murmur about nothing. But the laughter doesn’t return. Even the boldest of his teammates suddenly finds his plate fascinating. 

Vanessa sitting two tables away catches my eye.her expression is unreadable though i notice the way her mouth tightens just slightly before she turns back to whisper something to another intern.the air between us feels like static–heavy unspoken and watchful. 

i drop my gaze pretending to be absorbed in rearranging my salad.my heart however betrays me. It beats too fast, too loud.each pulse pushes his words deeper into my head. 

日 

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