Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 198 - 197- SS: Ex-girlfriends

It was one of those days when Austin was staying over at Valerie's house. They actually planned to stay only for a few days, but since her parents wanted to spend some more time with her, Austin urged her to delay their departure.

That evening, they sat together in the back garden of the mansion, sipping tea.

It was one of Valerie's favorite places. After a long day of training, she often came here to wind down—her favorite tea in hand, watching the sun dip below the horizon. It was peaceful. Familiar.

But now, that peacefulness feels warmer than usual. She wasn't alone. She was sharing the table with the person who mattered most to her.

And they weren't drinking her usual tea.

Milk tea.

Austin's favorite.

He watched her closely as she took another sip, hope flickering in his eyes. To him, tea without sugar was like music without melody. And since Valerie had once loved sweet things, he secretly wished that this taste would bring back a little of that old fondness.

"How is it?" he asked, trying not to sound too eager.

Valerie gave a small nod. "It tastes good... the sugar is low, so it's manageable."

Austin smiled, but inside, he sighed. That was her polite way of saying she wasn't a fan. He didn't want to push her—especially not over something like this.

He looked down at his cup, quietly deciding he'd go back to her tea next time.

A moment passed. Then, Valerie spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice was softer now, with a flicker of hesitation.

Austin raised his eyes, meeting hers. He nodded. "Of course."

She looked at him for a few seconds longer, as if weighing the risk of the words she was about to say. It wasn't an easy question. In fact, she had avoided it for a long time. It was the one thing she feared might pull them apart if it wasn't handled gently.

But if she didn't ask, it would just keep spinning in her mind, never letting her rest.

So she took a breath.

And finally asked.

So she finally asked, softly, "The lovers you had in your previous life... did you love them?"

Austin froze. The words hit like a cold wind brushing past his heart.

He had told her before—briefly—that back when he was Luke, he'd been in a few relationships. But he hadn't expected her to bring it up, let alone ask something like this. Especially not Valerie—who always avoided the things that might hurt her heart.

But now, she was looking straight at him, her eyes steady but unsure. It wasn't just curiosity. There was something deeper. Something she was holding back.

He leaned forward slowly, resting his arms on the table. "Back then," he began, "I was really into the idea of teenage romance. I was popular, especially because I played sports. So... if someone seemed to like me and I found them interesting too, we'd start dating."

Valerie leaned back slightly. She nodded, but under the table, her hand tightened into a fist. Maybe it was the thought of him sharing soft words or glances with someone else or something else that made her feel so...

Austin noticed her quiet reaction but continued.

"But... it never really lasted. Most of them figured out pretty quickly that I wasn't into casual relationships."

"Casual relationship?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. The term was unfamiliar to her.

He smiled gently, appreciating her honesty. "It's a kind of relationship where people just date to show off—to take cute pictures, go out together, enjoy the moment… but they don't really try to understand each other. It's not serious. Not like... this."

Valerie frowned, trying to process it. "Then… why didn't they just call it friendship? Isn't a relationship supposed to be serious? Something close to the heart?"

Austin's eyes softened. "I used to think the same way. But… their idea of love was different. I didn't want to change myself just to match that. So… we broke up."

He gave a small, dry laugh. "Not just once. I had seven breakups. All ended at most after two months of dating."

Valerie blinked. She had heard that number before. But hearing it again, especially from him so calmly, still left her stunned.

Seven.

He lowered his head, staring at the cup in his hands as he spoke again, voice quieter now.

"That's why... when I heard about a girl who had been hurt, ignored, and still waited for someone who never looked her way... I couldn't stop thinking about her. Not because I pitied her. But because she still loved, even when it wasn't returned. She didn't chase someone for attention—she just… stayed true."

He looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a quiet, burning sincerity.

"I was captivated. By that strength. By that kind of love."

Valerie couldn't suppress a smile upon hearing his words.

The appreciation from him seems so genuine that even if this was an attempt to appease her, she didn't mind.

"And when did you fall for me?" Valerie asked, in a voice that reflected her curiosity and elation.

Austin looked up at her, eyes lifting gently as he spoke with a quiet, vulnerable smile.

"That day… when I saw you wearing that birthday cap, singing the birthday song just for me… I think that's when it hit me." His voice lowered. "There could be no one else but you. I just knew. And that feeling—it was absolute."

It wasn't just a sweet memory to him. It was something that healed a wound he had carried for two lifetimes.

In both lives, his birthdays had been nothing but a quiet reminder of how ignored he was. Whether as Luke or as Austin, his parents never paid attention to that day. Birthdays were supposed to feel special, but for him, they were the loneliest.

Even so, he still liked cutting a cake. He liked the idea of receiving gifts—because deep down, he still wished someone would remember.

That's why, when he stepped into the room that day and saw the cake she had baked, the decorations she had set up, the gift she had wrapped with her own hands… he didn't just smile.

He fell.

Fell for the kindest, most thoughtful girl he'd ever met.

Valerie rested her elbow on the table, her cheek cradled in her palm, eyes fixed on him with a warm smile. Her gaze had a softness that pulled him in—so much so that he couldn't bring himself to look away.

Then she asked, with playful curiosity, "Tell me, Austin. Am I prettier than your past lovers?"

"There's no comparison," he replied without pause. "You took my breath away the first time I saw you."

Some answers feel rehearsed. Others come from the heart.

Valerie could tell—his words were real. That was why her face felt so warm all of a sudden, her cheeks blooming with a pink hue.

She looked down, her heart pounding a little faster.

"Do you enjoy yourself when you're with me?" she asked quietly.

Austin leaned forward slightly. "Have you ever seen me wish I was anywhere else? I could stare at your face for hours and never get bored."

That did it.

Valerie dropped her gaze to the table. She couldn't keep asking him things like that—her heart wouldn't survive the answers. Her hands were fidgeting now, her chest fluttering like crazy.

Then, without a word, Austin stood up. He circled the table, and before she could ask what he was doing, he lowered himself onto one knee in front of her and gently took her hand in his.

"Val," he said, looking straight into her eyes, "I know I've made mistakes. I've been in relationships before, and I might've looked like someone unworthy of your love. But you… you showed me what love really means."

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He held her hand a little tighter.

"Don't ever compare yourself to the people from my past. You are the most lovable and kindest person I've ever known."

Valerie's eyes softened. She didn't need time to think. She didn't need words to process.

She simply got down on her knees too, wrapping her arms gently around his neck and pulling him into a hug.

"I know," she whispered close to his ear. "And you're the most precious person to me as well, my Lord."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. I felt this chapter was necessary to show the after-effects of his confession.