Chapter 22 – Birthday Blues

The morning was perfect—like, storybook-level perfect. My ankle had healed faster than anyone expected. No boot, no swelling, no pain. It was as if the universe had thrown me a bone for my eighteenth birthday. I was ready to have the best day ever.

Ethan showed up early, sneaking into my room with roses and a stunning wolf charm necklace. He fastened it around my neck, his fingers grazing my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I'd never received anything from a guy before—let alone something this thoughtful. Then came the kiss—deep, lingering, and downright dizzying. My head was spinning and heart racing.

But then there was Luca.

Two weeks of relentless torture, and today was no different. The moment I stepped onto school grounds, he was there—strutting past with his group of bandits, tossing death glares at my friends. I had no idea what his problem was. His glance slid to me, and that smug smirk curled on his lips, like he was already planning today's round of torment. Not today, I thought. This was my birthday, and I wasn't going to let him ruin it.

Or so I hoped.

Before lunch, just when I started to feel safe, I opened my locker—and BAM! Plush animals tumbled out, piling around my feet. Laughter echoed through the hallway as students walked by, giggling and whispering. My heart sank when I spotted a rose taped to the inside of the locker door with a note that read, "Don't get your hopes up. It's just because you're so special."

I spun around, and there he was—Luca, leaning against the opposite lockers with his buddies, all snickering. He sauntered toward me, satisfaction practically oozing from his pores.

"Hope you liked your gifts, Princess. We went to such lengths to have them ready for you," he drawled.

I glared at him. "How did you know?"

He shrugged. "Unfortunately, you're dating my brother. Don't know what he sees in a slag like you, but hey—each to his own."

A slag? My face burned, my hands clenching into fists. "How can you be so mean?"

"Just telling the truth." His expression was cold, unreadable. "Besides, who do you think helped him get that cheap crap around your neck? Princess, we're one of the richest families in the state. You think we'd buy a $20 necklace for girls we actually like?" His voice was smooth, cutting. "He gets that for every girl he dates on her birthday."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Oh, and happy birthday," he added with a smirk. "Too bad nobody cares."

His friends burst into exaggerated birthday wishes, their voices loud enough to draw attention. My jaw dropped, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. Still, his words hit deep. My chest tightened, and despite my best efforts, a tear slipped down my cheek.

I braced myself for mockery, but to my surprise, Luca's expression faltered for a split second. Regret? Sadness? Whatever it was, it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Later, Princess," he said, his voice back to that maddeningly cool tone.

As he walked away, I crouched down, shoving the stuffed animals back into my locker. The anger brewing inside me was volcanic. I was done letting him get away with this.

By lunchtime, I was seething. My heart pounded as I stormed into the cafeteria. The noise faded as I zeroed in on him. Luca was lounging at his usual table, laughing with his friends like he owned the place.

Not today.

I marched to the counter, where the cooks handed me the cake I'd ordered for my birthday. It was a beautiful, chocolate-cream masterpiece. I didn't care about the curious looks from the staff or the students watching my every move. My hands trembled with adrenaline as I carried the cake straight to Luca's table.

"This ends now," I declared, my voice slicing through the cafeteria chatter.

Silence.

Luca looked up, his face unreadable. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I shot back. "I'm done with your crap. You can scare everyone else, but not me. Not anymore."

The cafeteria was dead silent, all eyes on us. Slowly, that infuriating smirk crept onto his face.

"Oh, Quinn," he said softly as he stood, towering over me. "You have no idea what you're messing with."

My pulse thundered in my ears. "No, Luca. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

He tilted his head. "That's cute. Did you bring me some cake?"

A wicked smile tugged at my lips. "Yeah, I did."

Without hesitation, I smashed the entire cake into his face, rubbing it in for good measure. Gasps and laughter erupted around us. I didn't wait to see his reaction—the satisfaction was already coursing through my veins.

I spun on my heel, striding back to the counter. The cooks were wide-eyed, their mouths agape.

"Sorry I wasted your hard work on that idiot," I said.

One cook waved dismissively, grinning. "That was worth it, dear."

I suppressed a giggle, glancing back to see Luca furiously wiping cake off his face. He stood slowly, his eyes locked on me, pure fury radiating from him.

"I need those three slices," I whispered urgently to the cook.

She nodded, chuckling. "Smart girl. Take them and run."

I grabbed the plate with the slices, but the moment I turned, Luca bolted for me.

"Crap!" I squealed, making a mad dash for the cafeteria door.

Students cheered and hollered as I weaved through tables, cake slices wobbling on the plate. Luca was fast—too fast. I could hear his footsteps closing in.

"Quinn, you're dead!" he shouted.