Chapter 2 2

The party had slowly begun to die down.

The music was still humming low, lights dimmed into soft golds and purples, casting a sleepy glow over the now half-empty backyard. Most of our classmates had already left, and the scent of vanilla candles and spilled fruit punch lingered in the air like a memory.

Our birthday was over well, almost.

Daphne and I had always shared everything. Clothes. Secrets. Friends. Even crushes, though we never admitted that out loud. So, of course, it made sense that our eighteenth birthday would be one big celebration with all our schoolmates the same ones we'd grown up with since kindergarten. Same stories. Same jokes. Same hallway gossip. But this night was different. We were adults now... at least that's what everyone kept saying.

I tugged at the hem of my lilac dress, staring at the soft swirl of balloons tangled near the garden. It had been beautiful lavish, like always. Gold-lined cake, live DJ, a backdrop screaming "Eighteen & Glowing," and the best food money could buy. Her parents didn't do simple. Especially not for their only daughter

"Liana," Daphne's voice pulled me back, her eyes shining as Jayson walked into the yard.

I already knew what was coming.

"I'm going," she whispered, excitement fluttering in her voice. She leaned in and added, "Don't forget... tonight. Kendrick's still here. Stick with him until Reuben shows up. You must tell him."

I wanted to smile, but nerves danced in my stomach like wild fireflies. "You're really going with Jayson?" I asked.

She nodded, her grin dreamy. "Of course. I've loved him since we were twelve. Tonight might be the night." Her hands squeezed mine. "You got this, okay?"

And just like that, she was gone.

Leaving me with Kendrick.

Kendrick was lounging near the snack table, sipping soda, looking so effortlessly charming that it almost annoyed me. His curly hair was pulled back in a loose bun, and he wore that wide, mischievous smile he was known for the one that made all the girls giggle. Kendrick, who lit up the world with his happiness, who was always around no matter how busy life got. Kendrick, who was like sunshine bottled in a boy's body.

He saw me looking and waved me over. "Don't tell me you're tired already, birthday girl."

I laughed. "Maybe a little. Or maybe just nervous."

He quirked a brow. "About what?"

I hesitated. "About everything."

Kendrick never pried. He just nodded, his grin softening. "You'll be fine. Whatever happens."

He didn't know it, but he always said the right things.

It was easy to be around him. Easier than it should've been. He was older twenty-one, already in college but he never made us feel like little kids. He was always present. My quiz competitions, school events, charity dinners if I turned, I'd find Kendrick clapping in the corner or sneaking me chocolates.

Unlike Reuben.

Reuben was rarely around. He was twenty-five, already on the brink of becoming the youngest billionaire in the country. The media couldn't get enough of him "The Corporate Prodigy," they called him. At the end of this year, he was officially taking over the company. It was all our parents talked about.

He was perfect in every way... and so impossibly out of reach.

And I? I was the silly girl hopelessly in love with him.

The air shifted before I saw him. Like the atmosphere knew he was here.

Reuben.

He walked in, tall and sleek in his suit, though his jacket was slung over his shoulder, and his tie was loosely in his hand. His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he'd run a hand through it too many times.

He looked exhausted... and still, he looked perfect.

My heart skipped.

"Hey," he said, eyes settling on me and then on Kendrick. "Sorry I'm late."

"It's your sister's birthday, Rue," Kendrick said casually, nudging him. "You should be sorry."

He ignored him and turned back to me, his voice gentle. "Happy birthday, Lia."

He handed me a small package beautifully wrapped, simple and elegant. I held it close to my chest.

"Daphne said you wanted to talk. About something important?"

I blinked, words lost somewhere in my throat. "Oh. Uh..."

Kendrick subtly tapped my shoulder. "Focus," he whispered with a teasing smile.

"Y-yes," I finally said. "Let's take a walk?"

Reuben gave a short nod, slipping his hand into mine. I knew it meant nothing, just birthday politeness, but it sent shivers down my spine. We walked slowly into the garden, the night quiet and wrapped in moonlight. The silvery glow danced in his eyes. He looked like a prince out of a dream mine.

He stopped by the fountain, letting out a soft sigh. "Okay, I'm all ears. What's this important thing?"

His hand brushed my shoulder, pulling me gently closer. I froze, swallowed hard.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, voice lower now. "School problems? You've submitted your college applications, right? Don't worry about money. Everything is"

"That's not it!" I cut in too quickly.

His brows rose.

I took a shaky breath. "I... I love you."

The words spilled out before I could stop them.

"I really, really love you. I've been holding it in, hoping maybe, just maybe, you "

He let out a short, mocking laugh. Not cruel. Just... dismissive.

"Lia," he said, voice low. "We've been through this. That whole obsession thing? You're past that now. You're a woman."

He touched my cheek briefly, like I was some child he'd just outgrown, and turned to leave.

"A grown woman," I said louder, voice trembling with tears. "You knew! You always knew it was you. I've always loved you!"

He stopped, but didn't turn.

"I am a woman," I said again, softer this time.

He turned back, expression unreadable. "Lia, don't do this. Not today. It's your birthday."

"No. Don't tell me what to do!" I snapped. "I just wanted to tell you. That's all. To hope that maybe you loved me too. That maybe you saw me."

He stepped toward me slowly.

"I do care," he said at last. "I do. It's just..."

"It's just what?" I demanded. "That I'm not pretty enough? Not good enough? Too young for you?"

He looked at me, eyes flickering with something I couldn't name.

"You're just... a child," he said quietly. "Turns out, you still don't want to grow up."

And then he left.

And just like that, the night shattered.