Chapter 2
“Scarlett, what’s wrong with you tonight? Who pissed you off? Don’t tell me it’s about that dress?”
Jason leaned lazily against the song screen like he was casually chatting–but his eyes never left the scrolling playlist.
HE
I let out a sharp laugh and bumped “Happy Birthday” to the top of the queue. “Is this what you were looking for?”
Eighteen years. More than enough time for me to read his mind.
Jason paused, clearly caught off guard. I usually snapped at him whenever Lily was involved, after all.
He kissed me on the forehead, as if rewarding me. “My baby girl’s finally growing up.”
I touched my forehead afterward, wiping away the lingering warmth like it meant nothing.
He still didn’t get it. It wasn’t maturity–just me learning how not to care.
Jason tapped the screen again, and the pounding beat of the song cut off mid–chorus.
Happy Birthday began to play, loud and cheerful. Lily looked at him in delighted surprise.
“Today’s our birthday girl’s big milestone! Let’s give her a round of applause!”
The room exploded with cheers. One guy even knelt on one knee with a fruit tray in hand like he was some kind of modern–day knight.
But Lily’s eyes weren’t on the crowd. They were locked on Jason, silently mouthing one thing: Thank you.
“Come on, it’s your eighteenth. You can’t not get a present!”
Someone shouted it, and suddenly everyone was checking their pockets for anything gift–worthy.
Jason scanned the room, then let his gaze land on my wrist.
“Babe, that bracelet–you’ve had it for years. Might as well give it away now. I’ll get you a new one.
I froze. Then asked, barely believing what I was hearing-
“Jason… are you serious?”
))
That bracelet was what he gave me when he first asked me out. Even after all the designer jewelry from my family over the years, I’d never once taken it off.
Now he wanted me to give it away?
“Of course I’m serious. That style’s been out for years–it’s not good enough for you anymore.”
He reached out like it was no big deal. I didn’t resist. He took it.
And right there in front of everyone, Jason fastened that bracelet–my bracelet–onto Lily’s wrist.
The lights went out just then. And a towering birthday cake rolled in, pushed by the staff.
As much as I tried to hold it together, I couldn’t stop my eyes from stinging.
Even the cake was exactly like mine. Jason really wouldn’t let her feel even slightly less special.
I’d had enough of this prince–and–fake–Cinderella show, just walked out without looking back.
Harper Lane saw my expression and couldn’t stand it. She deliberately called out in a bright voice, “Scarlett, where are you going?!” The next second, Jason dropped Lily’s hand and rushed out after me.
Chapter 2
