, and a massive "Happy Birthday, Chloe!" banner hung over the main table. Liam had pulled out all the stops. It was a perfect

ssmate I barely knew chirped, ha

tle, fragile thi

l just noise. A waiter approached me. "Miss, the guest of honor is supposed to be happy. Is everyt

e said smoothly to the waiter, then leaned in to whisper in my ear, "You look beautiful tonight."

and firmly in mine. He started the "Happy Birthday" song, and everyone joined in, their voices loud

oe," Liam urged,

f my heart. I wanted to fool myself, just for a second, to pretend that the boy holdin

ou cut the first piece." As I sliced into the ca

full of fake concern. "Are you that touched? I

lt nothing but a deep, aching sadness. Before I could an

. She had been quiet all evening, lurking in a corner, but seeing Liam dote

e cutting through the happy atmosphere. "All

cake onto the floor. The porcelain plate it was on went with it, shattering again

air, and a hot, stinging pain sliced across my forearm. I looked down and saw a

hurt?" he asked, his voice tight with alarm. He scanned my face, my arms, his eyes wide with what looked like genu

looking shocked at her own outburst, her hands trembling. Liam' s focus shifted entirely. He looked at me, th

he asked, his voice soft and soothing. He took her hands in his, examinin

urt me, was nauseating. Emily, seizing the opportunity, b

spoiled, selfish..." She choked on the word, her voice cracking. "A selfish bitch." The word hung in the air, ugly and sharp. The p