Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 206 – You two fit so well together and yet...

Everything stopped.

Seraphine froze, her breath catching as the words hit her all at once, her mind struggling to process them.

The cutlery slipped from her fingers, hitting the table with a sharp, echoing clatter that sounded far louder than it should have in the sudden silence.

Corvine felt it immediately. The tension, the weight of what he had just said pressing down on his chest until it almost made it hard to breathe.

Nervousness crept in fast, sharp and unrelenting, and before the silence could stretch any further, he spoke, his voice coming out quicker than he intended. "Sera, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t have the right."

Seraphine blinked, as though pulled out of a deep, distant place, her thoughts slowly settling back into the present as her eyes found his.

There was no anger there, no hurt, no frustration, just something soft, and calm, making it even harder for him to hold her gaze.

"Corvine," she began gently, her voice carrying a quiet understanding that wrapped around his nerves instead of cutting into them, "I can’t hate you for how you feel. It happens, feelings don’t ask for permission."

She paused, her expression turning more thoughtful, more serious as her words continued, slower now, heavier with meaning. "But you of all people should understand the danger of a one-sided love."

Silence followed, stretching long enough to become suffocating, thick enough that no one at the table seemed willing to break it.

Corvine inhaled slowly, steadying himself before nodding. "I understand," he said quietly. "That’s exactly why I never said anything before."

His gaze softened, resting on her with a kind of quiet acceptance. "What we have... our friendship... it means more to me than anything I feel. That’s why I’ve been trying to keep things the way they are. To be someone you can rely on... like a big brother."

Kylie’s breath hitched softly, a tear slipping down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away, though it did little to hide the emotion building in her eyes. "Life can be so unfair," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "You two fit so well together and yet..."

Corvine reached out without hesitation, offering her comfort with a gentle steadiness that felt

love Sera... and I know she cares about me too. Just not in the

no bitterness in his

continued, giving a small, almost relieved exhale. "It doesn’t change anything between us. If anything... I’m just glad I finally said it out loud. Keeping it

turned to Desmond and Nessa. "You’ve raised a remarkable son," he said sincerely. "And I truly hope that someday, he

for a hint of his usual humor to return. "Honestly, I hope that day takes its time getting here," he replied lightly. "I like being around Sera. Adding someone

that, her eyes warming as she looked at him. "Thanks... big

The words were simple.

a finality

the parents smiled too, though beneath those smiles lived an unspoken understanding. Connections like this, as steady and comforting as they seemed now, had a way of becoming

no one voiced

truths were

✧༺♥༻✧

their goodbyes, the moment lingering longer than usual as hugs tightened and eyes softened, Corvine drove

ahead of them, quiet at first, until Seraphine began going over

"send each investor a bouquet, a bottle of expensive wine, doesn’t matter

her voice steady with trust. "You’re the CEO now. You’ve got this, even

he finally gave in. "Sera, are you really not upset?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "About what I said...

I be?" she replied, her tone easy, almost teasing, but still sincere. "I’ve

she looked at him. "The difference is, you know what matters, and you

That was enough.

smile spread across his face, something genuine settling into his chest. "You’re rare,

didn’t answer, but her small

long after, he pulled over at the agreed meeting

his car, his posture straight, his attention