Novel & Cerita Casual Denial

It’s what happens when they aren’t. Weeks pass. Her absence becomes normal. Which is the most dangerous phase of all. Because normal erases memory unless memory has been built into behavior. I watch closely—not as a guardian, but as a reader. Looking for patterns. The question I ask myself repeatedly is simple: Are people still choosing friction when ease would suffice? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. And that honesty is reassuring. Because idealization is just another form of denial. One afternoon, I overhear two junior staff arguing—not heatedly, but intently—about whether a concern is worth escalating.

I stared at him, in surprise. “I'm sorry, it's just I thought only Zephyr had this problem. I guess it's the both of you.” “What problem?” “Denial.” He looked me right in the eyes. “Mh guess is you rammed your car into my street light because you were losing your mind. It's what happens when you refuse to accept an obvious truth.”

"Oh, please. I've been living with you for almost a year. You're about as intimidating as a marshmallow with abs." Their banter crackled around the room like firecrackers. The tension between them was palpable, yet neither acknowledged it. Denial, the name is Aarav. Caisen nudged me again and whispered, "Do they even realize they flirt more than we do?" I scoffed. "Nope. Completely oblivious." "Tragic." Then he wrapped an arm around me like it was second nature and whispered against my temple, "Can we go home yet? I miss teasing you somewhere more private."

she quizzed. "Ouch! I was expecting a hug at least, if not a kiss. Why are you so unhappy to see me?" Denis returned, his tone a bit playful. Fate was seriously pulling a prank on her. Claire sighed. "Well, hi, Denis," she finally spoke, sarcastic in manners. "Hi, Claire. May I?" Denis stretched his arms, beckoning her for a hug, and she just stood motionless. "Come on, Claire. It's just a hug, I missed you," he said, and with a soft huff, Claire complied.

As a gesture of thanks and farewell, the poker guys treated the couple to a late Sunday breakfast at IHOP. Recall, this was a first date that Deni had set up, between two people who had never met, to make sure Cindy was not taken advantage of. Indications were that Cindy was a girl who did not have a lot of boundaries. Jace told me about the date during the next week. I was skeptical. I said that, if true, Cindy was plainly messed up. As unlikely as that seemed, I was 100% right.

Adam and Trevor looked like they wanted to crawl into a hole. "Denial! It's called denial. Dad's dead. And hanging onto his things won't bring him back!" Adam, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene. "Maybe we should just drop it, Cara." "Shut up, Adam!" she snapped. "It's not denial, it's a process. I'll clean out his things when I'm ready. Don't push me on this, Cara!"

"Not long ago, civil war broke out within the Whitefall Pack. Adrian was stripped of his Alpha status… His wolf died completely. No one supports him anymore. Even the Progenitor has abandoned him." Daisy shook her head regretfully. "If he had sought treatment in time, maybe it wouldn’t have ended like this. What a pity." Silence returned to the darkness. Only when Daisy’s breathing evened out into soft snores did I finally let out a long breath. Everything Adrian did was meant as atonement, yet hearing about him brought me no joy. The damage had already been done, and no punishment could ever make up for it. My pup was gone from my world forever.

“Don’s woman.” Claire’s stomach churned at the casual way she said it. *His woman.* Joy’s gaze swept over her again, judgment clear in her expression. “I told Don we’re short on strippers at the club,” Joy said, her tone casual, as though she were discussing the weather. “You know, since the last one…died.” She shrugged, her lips quirking into a cruel smile. Claire’s blood ran cold. The way she said it—so detached, so unbothered—made Claire’s knees weaken. She tried not to let her terror show, but she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling at her sides.

Pam retorted. “I didn’t know this issue was that serious. For a while, he didn’t mind me. But now he is confrontational about what he wants.” “Do you suspect he is cheating on you though? I mean, a man with that kind of past.” “What about his past? Most men go through a ho phase and get it over with. That’s what it is called.” “Yeah well. Good thing he is faithful. But don’t take advantage of that.” “I’m not.”

"He’s my boss, okay? Nothing more." Kiara arched an eyebrow. "You sure about that? I mean, have you looked at yourself? You’re blushing, girl. Blushing. Check yourself inside and out, then answer that question honestly." Cassia paused for a moment, as if Kiara's words made her unsure. "It's not like that," she quickly said, but her voice shook just enough to make her friends laugh victoriously. "Uh-huh. You hear that, Quinn? Denial is a river, my friend," Kiara joked, earning an eye-roll from Cassia.