, gave her a thumbs-up. Her mother dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. Next to them, her boyfriend, Liam Stone, was grinning, his eyes full of love. Her best friend since kindergarten, Noa

d Ashley from a family reunion years ago. "She's had a very difficult time," her father added, his expression serious. "Her parents passed away, and she has nowhere else to go. We need to be there for her." Of course, Chloe agreed immediately. Her family was l

dress, the one Liam loved, and did her makeup carefully. She waited in the living room, her excitement slowly turning to confusion. Seven o'clock came and went. Then seven-thirty. She called Liam, but it went straight to voicemail.

? Liam and Noah are doing such a great job making her feel welcome!" Below the text was a photo. In the center of the picture, Ashley was beaming, holding a cake. Surro

t scream. She simply walked out of the house, hailed a cab, and gave the driver the address of the party

happy smile vanished, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. She rushed forward, grabbing Chloe' s hand. "Chloe! I'm so sorry," she cried, he

cene and ruin this for Ashley." Her mother came next, her face a mask of disappointment. "Honey, we were going to celebrate with you tomorrow. Ashley has been through so mu

e spotlight for a single night. She was the one who was wrong. The pain was sharp and sudden, a physical blow that left her breathless. The perfect world she h