Chapter 2

I suddenly remembered all the parties this year, the little moments like this that had happened again and again.

Simone had taken off my hearing aid, her eyes soft, saying something I couldn't catch. Later, she put it back on. Everyone else said she was whispering sweet nothings, making promises that she'd never let me down.

If my hearing hadn’t already been restored, I probably would have missed the sharp edge beneath her honeyed voice, the cruel meaning she'd disguised in sweetness.

Ralph suddenly exclaimed, "Whoa!"

He dropped his arm from around Simone's shoulder and apologized in his usual carefree way. "Sorry, Justin. We usually joke around like this, don't get jealous."

Simone teased back with a laugh, "Oh, come on. You treat me like a guy all the time."

Then, as if no one else existed, the two of them started chasing each other, play-fighting across the room.

Everyone else acted completely unfazed, like it was just another ordinary scene.

I closed my eyes and turned to leave, but Ralph immediately reached out and stopped me. His expression was disapproving. "Everyone showed up at your birthday party out of respect. Are you just going to leave like that?"

Simone ruffled my hair, a helpless little smile on her face. "You haven't even opened your birthday gifts yet. Don't be mad."

I frowned and instinctively pulled away.

Ignoring the sudden flicker of change in Simone's expression, I spoke deliberately, each word cutting through the tension.

"We're done. Don't contact me again."

And without another glance, I left the private room.

On the way home, my phone kept buzzing with messages.

Simone sounded confused. "What's going on? Everyone came all this way to celebrate your birthday, brought you gifts, and you just left them hanging?

"Ralph was just being his usual easygoing, bold self, not like you. You're always so cautious. That's why he draped his arm around me. Didn't he drop it quickly and apologize to you?"

Other friends jumped into the group chat.

"Justin, aren't you overreacting a little?"

"Why walk off like that for no reason? Did we ever do anything wrong?"

"Damn, we try to be nice and this is what we get!"

I smirked coldly and replied, "Who's overreacting now?"

Then I blocked them all, leaving the group chat behind.

At home, I briefly recounted the whole thing to my parents.

I pressed my lips together. I was facing my worried parents when a sudden, sharp ache welled up in my chest. My voice caught, choking as I said, "I don't like her anymore.

"I don't want to go to college in Movaia with her. I don't want to be with her or marry her."

Mom wiped my tears gently. "Justin, this isn't a big deal. Your dad and I will help you cancel the engagement tomorrow.

"Wherever you want to apply for college, we've got your back. We're here for you."

Dad led me to the living room and placed the cake knife in my hand. "We didn't even get a chance to bring the cake over, but you're home now. Perfect timing. We'll have a simple birthday together, just the three of us.

"Back then when you were born, I laughed so hard my face wrinkled. Don't cry, birthday boy. Make a wish while cutting the cake, okay?"

I forced a laugh through the tears, letting the warmth of their blessings wash over me as I made my wish and blew out the candles. Just as I was about to cut the cake, the doorbell rang.

I straightened myself and opened the door, and there was Simone.

Rain poured steadily outside, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing across the sky.

She was drenched, water dripping from her hair, but she didn't seem to care. She just smiled and held out a neatly wrapped jewelry box. "Look, I picked this out carefully for your birthday.

"Stop sulking. Everyone's still waiting in the private room. And don't bring up breaking up again, okay?"

I glanced at the necklace inside the box.

It looked strangely familiar.

The watch Ralph was wearing today seemed to be from the same brand.

I didn't move a muscle and refused to take it.