ALEXANDRA'S POVThe icy Chicago wind whipped down the street, pushing freezing rain straight into my face. I hugged the pink bakery box tightly against my chest, using my oversized wool coat to shield the two-tier vanilla buttercream cake from the heavy downpour. In my other hand, I gripped a massive bouquet of two dozen red roses. The sharp thorns pressed uncomfortably against my freezing fingers through the wet paper wrapping, but I ignored the dull pain. Today was my second anniversary with David, and I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for him.I shifted my weight from one foot to the other as I waited for the crosswalk light to change. My leather boots squished loudly, completely soaked through with freezing puddle water. I had practically begged my manager at Volkov Industries to let me leave my data analytics internship at eight o'clock tonight instead of my usual late shift. It cost me a stern lecture about corporate dedication, but I honestly did not care. I just w
Last Updated : 2026-02-25 Read more