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Chapter 13 - Resentment, Rights, and Unspoken Love

In a quiet corner of the bustling evening city, soft light streamed through the window of a small coffee shop, falling across a wooden table. Inside, Sejal was fully immersed in her work—her presence so calm, so focused, that time itself seemed to pause for some hearts watching from afar.

Just outside, Ken stood silently, eyes fixed on Sejal.

In his gaze lived years of bottled-up, one-sided love.

His thoughts whispered quietly to himself—

"Sejal… how beautiful you are. I found my first love in your eyes. The way you tie your hair, the softness of your face—everything about you pulls me in. I know you pretend not to see it, but my love is still as true as it was when we were just school kids."

Taking a few steps forward, Ken sighed internally again—

"So many girls have proposed to me, but I've only ever loved you, Sejal. I've never even looked at anyone else. There's only one girl in my eyes—only you."

But just then, his eyes fell inside the coffee shop.

And his heart clenched.

In one corner, he saw Dean, sitting quietly, sipping his coffee—

But his gaze?

It was fixed entirely on Sejal.

Ken's chest tightened with a flare of jealousy.

Without wasting a second, he stormed inside and walked straight to Dean's table.

In a sharp tone, he asked,

"What are you doing here, Dean?"

Dean remained perfectly calm, unfazed, as he answered,

"I came to see Sejal."

Ken's voice rose with anger,

"You don't even like her! So why are you suddenly back here now?"

Dean met his glare directly, voice steady,

"I love her, Ken.

And it wouldn't be fair to hide that from you… after all, you're her best friend, aren't you?"

Those words struck Ken like lightning.

His fists clenched.

Without another thought, he grabbed Dean by the collar.

"I've loved Sejal since we were kids!

You know that—her whole family knows that! And now you suddenly show up?"

Dean didn't back down.

His voice turned firm,

"Yes, I know.

But Sejal doesn't see you as anything more than a best friend, Ken. That's the truth, even if it hurts."

Just then, in the middle of the heated tension, Sejal came rushing in.

Her face pale, eyes wide with fear.

Her voice trembled as she cried out,

"Are you two crazy?! What are you doing, fighting like this here?"

She stood between them, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Please… don't do this because of me.

Only I have the right to choose whom I love.

Don't make my life more complicated than it already is…"

Ken dropped his gaze.

Dean stood still, eyes quietly watching Sejal.

And in that moment, silence fell over them—

A silence heavy with broken hearts, wounded pride, and a love triangle that had now reached its sharpest point yet.

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To be continued... 💔

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