Chapter 4

I Practically kicked him out of my room and shut the door on his face.

Maybe he had all the time in the world but I didn't.

A hollow kind of quiet spread across my room. A sigh left my lips—shaky, broken—before goosebumps spread over my skin like frostbite. I felt frozen inside out.

I turned, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and—God.

My face was a disaster. Hair tangled. Eyes puffy. Mascara smudges under my lashes. My red bralette—the one I wore just in case he noticed—felt like a joke now.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

I broke.

Tears fell in fat, unfiltered sobs. I pressed my hands to my cheeks, trying to smother the sound of my heartbreak echoing off the walls. I looked like a ghost of the girl I was this morning. The girl who still believed she meant something to him.

I never imagined I’d lose him—not just as the man I… silently loved—but also as my family. My only anchor.

All it took was her to unravel everything.

She walked in and suddenly he had someone else to hover over, someone else to pick up and protect and choose. And for the first time in years, he didn’t choose me.

My birthday used to mean something. Not because of the cake or the stupid party or even the gifts. But because it was our day.

Enzo would always be the first one to wish me. He’d pull my blanket off, complaining that I slept too much. He'd make me coffee just the way I like it—too sweet. He’d drive me to class, wait outside like an overprotective dad, then act like he didn’t care when he absolutely did. We'd eat lunch together like best friends who couldn’t be separated.

But now? Now he has her.

He’ll do all those things for her.

He already started. He’d been late every night. Gone every morning. His room smelled like aftershave and absence. It hit me like a punch that he hadn’t slept here in days.

I was blind. Or maybe I didn’t want to see.

I stayed up all night thinking maybe he'd come knocking. Maybe he’d explain. Maybe he’d apologize. Maybe he'd remember.

He didn’t.

When I finally heard the knock, my heart leapt. I practically ran to the door like an idiot.

It wasn’t him.

It was Lily—with breakfast.

“Morning,” she said too cheerfully. “I hope you had your beauty sleep.”

What a joke.

“Good morning,” I mumbled, stepping aside. The tray clinked as she set it down on my table.

“Antonio and I are going to meet the Kings. We’ll be back Tuesday.”

“What? Why?” I frowned. “You said uncle was going alone!”

“Change of plans,” she said with that annoying ‘grown-up’ smile. “Their daughter’s wedding is in Russia. It’s a whole family affair. I have to go.”

“But—Lily,” I hissed, sounding like a child on the verge of a tantrum.

She pulled me into a quick hug. It didn’t help.

“Enzo and Lucas will keep you company,” she said, brushing my hair back like I was five years old again. “I wish we could take you but you know it’s dangerous.”

“Fine,” I said, pouting. “Have a safe journey.”

She left. And I stood there with my useless breakfast and my even more useless hope.

Now I was stuck.

Stuck with him.

I hadn’t seen his face since last night. Not since I threw him out. I didn’t know if I could. Not without screaming or crying or grabbing his shirt and begging him to tell me he wasn’t hers.

The whole day crawled like time had died.

I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t even get out of the shower because every drop of water made me think of him. The way he used to knock when I took too long. The way he'd tease me about using up all the hot water.

Then the spiraling began.

What if—after he marries her—he forgets my birthday entirely? What if she gets sick and he stays with her instead? Or worse—what if their baby is born on the same day as me?

God, I wanted to throw up.

What if I ever dare say something against her—and he picks her?

I couldn’t take that.

I can’t. I won’t.

My brain started spinning out of control. I was pacing, tugging my hair, talking to myself like a lunatic.

I needed something—anything—to feel in control again.

So I opened my notes app and started a list.

HOW TO BREAK AN ENGAGEMENT (WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT)

Find out if she’s cheating

If not, make her cheat

Tell him I hate her (but why would he care?)

Or… tell him I love him (as if)

Hire an assassin (maybe too far?)

Blackmail her—or him

Stage a scandal

Fake an emergency

None of it made sense. All of it made me laugh like a maniac.

He’s not going to leave her that easily.

But I’m not going to lose him that easily either.

So—step one: hire a private investigator. Find out what’s hiding in her closet. Everyone has a secret. Everyone has a weakness. I just need hers.

And when I find it, I’ll take it straight to Enzo.

Let’s see how long this fiancée survives after that.