"Can you remind me once again why I'm baking you a birthday cake?" I asked, slightly exasperated.

"For the hundredth time, it's a surprise for someone special, and I truly appreciate your help with all of this." I waved my hand around.

"Surely," Sawyer nodded from behind me, observing my reflection in the mirror with a quizzical expression. "And am I acquainted with this person?"

Not only does she bake and design a cake for me, but she's also here for me as a sister, even though she can be quite persistent about trivial matters.

"Evie! Let's not discuss it any further, as I doubt I have the energy to handle your uncertainty and curiosity," I feigned a smile.

"I won't push it any further," she simply responded.

"Good. But don't you think the hairstyle is too much?"

"Would you prefer I put your hair in a bun or a ponytail?" She asked, sounding exasperated.

"Yes," I scoffed at her absurd question.

"So you'll look like an outcast among Las Vegas high school kids," she firmly stated, causing me to choke and sputter with laughter.

"You do know that 'cock' has a different meaning here, other than a man and an adult male chicken, right?" I reminded her as tears of laughter welled up in my eyes.

"Yes, yes, cousin, I know it also means penis," she rolled her eyes, trying to stifle her smile. "So, by 'cock,' I meant an adult male chicken," she added, giving in to laughter.

I managed to deceive Mom and Sawyer into believing that it was Evie's birthday party. In the process, I received a bonus of a beautiful cake that Sawyer helped me with, and she even gifted me a stunning oyster pink cocktail dress with appliques, which revealed a bit too much of my thighs.

Sawyer insisted that I let my hair fall around my shoulders and find a suitable pair of heels to match my appearance.

"What are you going to do about Xavier?" I asked after she finished doing my makeup and hairstyle.

"What can I do?" Her nonchalant attitude about leaving soon and still giving the poor boy false hopes for a forever happily ever after annoyed me.

Sceptical, I scanned her before blurting out, "Sawyer!"

"Fine," she sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I really have to go back to London, and I think he understands," she frowned and flopped back onto our bed.

"But you two seem so close."

"We're hoping a long-distance relationship will work," she sadly replied.

"Or maybe you could just stay," I suggested with a small smile, hoping to comfort her in some way.

"You expect me to stay when you and Auntie Susan are planning on leaving the States? We're all getting out of here, my darling."

Those words haunted me throughout the ride to Eagle Hills Drive.

***

Alright, the plan is already in effect. I'm standing at Christian's doorstep, holding a cake for his son. Leigh successfully convinced me last night to spend this evening with his family on his seventeenth birthday, and I intend to make the most of it.

Besides, it's his first birthday with me. We should cherish today, even though it's a bittersweet one for both our parents. The 27th of December was supposed to be their wedding day.

I knocked twice on the door, which felt somewhat strange because only weeks ago, I could freely barge in as it had been my home for months.

The door swung open, interrupting my thoughts. "Ava," Christian uttered, standing in a formal black suit, looking dashing and quite stunned at my presence.

"Hello! Good evening," I greeted him with a smile.

"Hello... um, you came. Uh, how are you doing?" He struggled to put his words together.

"I'm good, thank you," I politely replied.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that... please come in." His eyes rested on the cake, protected by a see-through plastic cover, that I was holding. If I'm not mistaken, he looked distant and bemused. "Ava, hmm... how's your mother doing?" He nervously asked, shoving both hands in his pockets.

"She's doing well," I lied.

He drew in a deep breath and began, "Ava, I didn't..."

"I know," I interrupted at the same time a waiter in a black and white uniform stepped forward to help with the cake. "No thanks," I smiled, trying to soften the refusal. I was only delivering it to the intended recipient.

"What?" Christian asked, confused.

Immediately, my body tensed. I had helped break this generous man's heart, so the least I could do was let him know I trusted him. "There must have been some misunderstanding. I believe you," I lied once again.

"I appreciate you listening, Ava. Come on, dinner is almost ready," he led my astonished body further into the house, where I unexpectedly found an upscale party in full swing. It was the kind of party where only live music played, and there were dozens of unfamiliar faces milling about. It was completely different from what I had imagined a normal family dinner would be like. Everyone was dressed elegantly in dresses and tuxedos, and waiters and waitresses were busy serving snacks and drinks to the guests.

"Look, isn't it my baby?" Auntie Laura approached with her arms wide open until they wrapped around me.

"It's good to see you, Auntie Laura," I replied when I pulled back, still in awe of my surroundings.

I had thought it would be a simple birthday celebration with Christian, Leigh, and, hopefully, a chance to reconcile with Lilith.

Auntie Laura cupped my cheeks in her palms, a huge smile spreading across her face, revealing her teeth. "Likewise, my dear. How's Susan?"

Here we go!

"She's fine."

"Fine?" She immediately frowns.

"She's coping." I correct slowly if it matters. Doesn't she expect my mum to be fine? I wonder.

"I would love to spend some girl time with her whenever she's free. Can you let her know? It must be hard for her, I understand."

"Uhmm, I-I..." Breathing becomes difficult, perhaps because I'm trying to hide the innocent girl I used to be, even though she's no longer here.

"Hey Ava, what do you have there? It better be mine." And there he is, my lifesaver.

"Hey, Leigh." I look up to meet his charming smile. He looks flawless in a brand-new black suit, though the jacket and tie are missing. But the white dress shirt enhances his appearance, and I have to fight the urge to kiss him in the middle of the ballroom. Is this a ball?

"Aren't you lucky to have her here for your birthday?" Auntie Laura pats her nephew's shoulder.

"Very lucky." His deep, seductive voice rolls out those words, igniting the butterflies in my stomach. I have to look away from him before I do something I might regret later.

"Well, the birthday boy deserves lots of wonderful presents." She smiles and continues, "Ava, please don't forget what I told you."

"I won't," I reply politely before she heads to a group of people standing by the fireplace.

"Wow, I love it," Leigh mutters, and when my eyes shift to him, his tongue curls around his finger, licking off the cream from the cake. It's a breathtaking view, and I have to swallow hard to compose myself.

"Glad you do." I smile at the effortlessly perfect boy in front of me.

"Thank you for coming," he adds.

I smile faintly and tilt my head sideways, observing the crowded room. "You never mentioned you were having such a large social gathering for your birthday celebration."

"I had no idea, Ava." My eyes raise before narrowing suspiciously. "Don't look at me like that," he says.

"Like what?" I quietly inquire, my hooded eyes pointing at him.

"Ava, if you don't stop looking at me as if you want me to rip off your clothes in the middle of the room, with at least thirty sets of eyes, then I guess I'll have to drag you upstairs, take off that dress, and kiss every single inch of your skin, just like I've always wanted. As you can see, I'm trying to compose myself. You have no idea how incredibly hot you look, and those hazel eyes of yours... fuck Ava, just stop it." His husky, silky tone vibrates with desire and promise.

My smile slowly fades. I have to breathe through my parted lips to support my windpipe as his intense green eyes pour into mine. "I'd love to be dragged upstairs." I smile softly and slowly bite my bottom lip, just as Tyron decides to interrupt our conversation, or rather, our flirtatious moment.

And my hand is gently snatched. "My lady, you look very pleasing. I hope you're having a highly enjoyable time here." Tyron finishes, after bowing and kissing the back of my hand.

I almost burst into laughter at his humour.

"What are you doing, man?" Leigh frowns and yanks his friend's hand away from mine.

"Come on, dude, I'm wearing a tuxedo. I'm trying to be a gentleman for the beautiful lady here. Besides, I've heard that first impressions are a really important aspect of British culture." Tyron Bertram winks.

"Thank you," I try to stifle my smile.

"Know your boundaries," Leigh warns his well-meaning friend, slightly seething.

Ping*

Evie: Hey, I heard there's going to be a party for Leigh.

I ignore the text message and switch my phone to silent mode before refocusing my attention on the boys.

"Beauty like Ava's is all I can see, my brother," Tyron pouts, causing Leigh's jaw to clench even further. "Easy, man, before you do me like Arlen." He chuckles and raises his hands in defence. I'm glad to see that obnoxious Tyron made it to the event.

Rolling my eyes, they drop on the last person I thought I would see here—Embry. She's wearing an A-line spaghetti strap ochre chiffon dress with ruffles, along with pleasant accessories. She's standing next to a tall, bald man wearing a very expensive navy blue suit and shiny shoes.

She sips the red wine in her hand before our eyes make contact. I suddenly disconnect and swallow. My palms start to sweat, and my heartbeat begins to change as my whole body goes on alert, sending chills and goosebumps of fear down my spine.

Why would Leigh invite her here?

"Hey, come, let me show you around." Leigh must have noticed what had caught my attention when he grabs me by the wrist and places the cake I made for him under Tyron's protection. "Help get it to the fridge, please," he tells his best friend before pulling me towards a group of people around the house.

By the time Christian announces that the dining tables outside are ready for supper, I've already met almost every guest. Three-quarters of them were mostly interested in knowing about my mum. I wanted to remind them that their purpose here wasn't to invade others' privacy, but of course, I lack the confidence to do so. So, I wear a smile of generosity and keep replying, "She's fine. I will extend your greetings to her."

I learn that Christian has many extended family members who have come over for his son's birthday. Some are Christian's work colleagues, while others are neighbours from Eagle Hills Drive, whom I am acquainted with. I even meet two fancy teenage girls, Addison and Claire—seemingly French. They were partly nice but very odd.

I notice the absence of Arlen Garret on the occasion, not that I am surprised—no one would easily get over what he has had to go through. But it pains me because of the recent strain in their relationship.

Did I mention that Sofia Halt and her parents also happen to be in the building, just like the lean, cute guy from school that Lilith went to the homecoming dance with? I really don't remember his name.

It's so confusing how Leigh has all these people over, and it's even more confusing when I learn that they have come along with their parents.

The dinner feels like the longest I've ever had. With Christian introducing Sofia Halt as Leigh's girlfriend, and Embry shooting me murderous glares from the other table, I feel uncomfortable sitting between some elderly people of high social class. I promise myself to focus on chewing and swallowing, as the last thing I need is to choke and attract attention to myself when all I deeply wish for is to disappear from here.

"What are you doing here?" Lilith asks when she walks into the library, where a minute ago, I thought I could catch some air.

"I'm here for..."

"You shouldn't have bothered coming over if I don't want you here. I doubt Leigh, whom you have less of a relationship with, would want to see your face at his party."

"Lilith, I understand you're angry and disappointed, but I'm not responsible for our parents' relationship..." She cuts me off before I can finish.

"You're wrong. I'm not among any of the people you've listed. Although I can guarantee you, if I have a chance to meet that woman you call your mother, I would make sure to leave her a reminder of how ungrateful she is."

Fuming, I warn her, "Do not call my mother names."

"But she is," she states derisively. "She claims my father cheated on her..."

"Or maybe he did," I fire back with contempt.

"For fuck's sake, we all know that my dad, who spent years alone, would never destroy the first actual relationship he's found after ten years of losing a wife."

"Lilith, I'm sorry our parents' relationship didn't work out, but you shouldn't treat me as if I'm the one responsible." Yes, you are, my subconscious hits harder.

She steps right in front of me. I can see the hatred in her dark eyes. The tension in the air couldn't grow any thicker. "No, you're not, but you're the daughter of the selfish woman whom we opened our door to, just so she could emotionally drain us. It doesn't matter that we were almost sisters. Today was supposed to be my dad's wedding, but look, we're only celebrating Leigh's birthday. And that's because your mother decided to ruin our plans."

Offended, I defend my mother. "My mum is innocent."

"So is my dad," she fires back, the truth hitting me in the face.

I exhale while rubbing my palms against my thighs. "Why don't you let them solve it themselves?"

"Because I won't allow my dad to go through that pain caused by that..." My instinct takes over, and without reasoning, my hand flies to her left cheek.

Not only do I slap Lilith, but I punctuate each word on her shocked face. "Do. Not. Ever. Address. My. Mother. With. Offensive. Names."

"Well, isn't it the real bitch I promised you?" Embry's grating voice comes up before her figure appears in a tight dress that exposes too much of her chest and long legs. Her witch-like heels clink loudly against the tiled floor, and a cup half full of wine hangs between her fingers as she saunters over to us.

Lilith doesn't utter a comeback, nor does she reply to her friend's remark. She only stands steady, her eyes fixed on me, while she breathes hard and fast.

"It's a shame, though. You let a meaningless, pathetic, impotent joke overpower you," Embry snorts, pacing in circles around the snooker board while she quizzically taps her nails against the wine cup.

My heart is either beating too fast that I can't breathe or my heartbeat has really stopped. "She's not worth it... Lilith, she deserves to be dead and buried. She's a low-grade, envious bitch who's jealous of you."

I wince, not at her strong, rude words, but at the unexpected cold wine that showers over me. "Didn't I tell you she's a witch ever since she came here? She's only brought you pain. She uses innocence as a shield and manipulates you into believing she's naive so you could have her back, and she will slowly destroy you. I hate her, and you blamed me. Look at how much you're sadly suffering because of her actions..." Embry finally halts beside Lilith, a dark look of determination covering her face. I can't control my visible shuddering—I feel pathetic and even more vulnerable knowing I'm on my own.

"I'm sorry, honey, but I love you as a best friend and my future sister-in-law. That means I will fight your battles when you're too weak to stand up for yourself." I didn't have enough time to process her words when an impetuous hit collides with my face. I stumbled backwards and grasp the edge of the snooker board behind me for support.

My vision is blurry as Embry leans into my face and throws her threat. "Stay away from the Boyce, or you will regret ever breathing the air of this universe." She blatantly scans me up and down with a sneer on her face before pulling Lilith, and they both charge for the door, leaving me alone with my heart shattered on the floor.

I feel numb. The courage and confidence I have are too little to hold me together. My legs shake with each step I take. I repeat mentally, 'They can't see my tears.' I try to cover my pain, hoping that no one is paying attention as I make my way among the guests to the staircase.

The doors to the bedrooms are all locked, including one I had for a little while. As the tears begin to fall and breathing becomes harder, I can't let anyone find me in my most vulnerable state. So, I block out my conscience and push open the door, intruding on his privacy, but he ends up overpowering mine as his familiar warmth and scent penetrate through me, invading my whole body. I can't help but weep even harder.

"Ava?" I feel his presence behind me, and his low, concerned tone melts my heart. It wraps me up, and I know that if I dare turn around, I will succumb. "What's wrong?" He slowly asks when I refuse to turn around or respond.

"You invited Embry and her father?" The words come out in a closed throat, and my voice sounds wobbly.

"No... Lilith invited her, I promise."

"And Sofia?" I press my eyes closed to stop the tears from falling, but it only worsens.

"My dad added them to the list, and they brought along their parents... Ava, I swear I don't understand all this. I wouldn't care if I had a normal birthday, just like yesterday, as long as I spent it with you alone." I can feel the sincerity and pain in his voice, but I'm a mess. I can't let him see me like this.

"I need to go home," I mumble.

"Ava..." I hear his footsteps, and then his hands cup my wet cheeks. They are warm and comforting, and I instantly lean into them.

"Who hurt you?" His enraged breathing blows against my wet face.

I open my eyes to meet a deep frown etched across his face as he gazes at me with darker eyes and clenched jaws. "Leigh, I need to get out of here. I can barely breathe. I feel like an outcast, unwanted."

"I want you here," he quickly responds.

"Can't you see that it's not enough? Sometimes, just the two of us isn't sufficient. I want to hold your hand out there, Leigh." My hands cover his and I gently bring them between us. "I want to publicly display my affection and proudly call you mine. But I can't, and do you know why? Your dad sees me as a daughter, or rather, he sees Sofia as the suitable lady for you. Lilith despises me more than ever, not that I blame her, because I'm the cause of everyone's pain."

He brings his thumb back and wipes away my tear. "Ava, it's going to be fine, I promise. My dad and your mother broke up; I'm certain we'll make it through. We can be free and go on public dates, spend holidays together without sneaking out and fearing being caught."

But I defiantly shake my head and push myself away from him. "No... no! It doesn't matter if our parents aren't together. You and I were practically family at some point, and that's why people won't approve of us."

"I don't care what people think, Ava. I don't need anyone's approval to be with you. I want you." Fear lingers in his rich voice, just as pain fills his glistening wild eyes. I can sense his panic as he repeatedly runs his hands through his perfectly styled hair.

"They are claiming what you say I have a claim on. Your dad, the girls out there... everyone." I swallow and pause to take a breath. "We're only deluding ourselves with vain hopes of a future that's not going to happen. This isn't some Disney movie, Leigh. This is reality, and it takes a lot of effort to succeed in it." I exhale, avoiding his scrutinizing gaze as the weight of his stare bears down on me.

"What does that mean?" He exhales loudly, and I know that either I leave this place or I might not survive the next thirty seconds under the impact he has on me. The kind that frightens me the most.

"I must leave. Please forgive me." I hurriedly leave the bedroom, ignoring the calls and pleas that penetrate deep inside me.

With teary eyes, I descend the grand staircase and head toward the entrance door. I need air; I have to get out of this house before it swallows me whole beneath its tiles.

Fresh tears fall, and I pray for an escape without any company, but I happen to be a victim of circumstance. Unfortunately, I bump into someone.

Beneath my lashes, I see the burgundy high-slit long evening dress that's hard to miss, for she was quite the important guest at this party.

"Ava? Are you okay?" She asks.

I avoid her gaze, mentally thanking my cousin for the free hairstyle that allows me to hide behind the falling strands covering my stained face.

"Come, I'll help you clean up." Sofia offers, and I panic. That's when I reveal my miserable state.

"What the fuck? Ava, what happened to you?" She's shocked and concerned at the same time.

Why does she care? I am nobody; I deserve no pity. She should know that crying is a normal occurrence for me.

"I should go," I murmur in my humiliated state.

Within a nanosecond, I can see realization dawning on her, and she firmly asks, anger in her voice. "It's Embry Wesley, isn't it?"

With a swallow, I fake a smile that I'm sure isn't convincing in the least, but I shake my head. "I'm not feeling very well. Please pardon me, I really need to go." I retort and scurry out of the suffocating building.

***

By the time I get out of the Uber, it's 9:40 pm, and I have eighteen unread text messages, nine missed FaceTime, and fourteen missed calls. My mobile phone had been on silent the whole evening; I didn't care to check the details as I head to our floor in my now ruined outfit.

"Where have you been?" That's what greets me as soon as I close the door.

Mum!

She's leaning against the wall, facing me with an intense glare. Her eyes flicker, momentarily showing concern about my dishevelled state.

"Evie's..." I begin but get interrupted.

"You better not tell me you meant this Evie." She yells and points to the living room area.

I flinch, not because of her loudness, but because Evie is actually sitting on the couch next to Sawyer. Both of them flash a quick glance at me, and I know I'm in trouble!

"Mom, I can explain."

"Who the hell did you take a birthday cake to, Ava?" Mum takes steps forward towards me.

"I-I... a friend..." I unconsciously shake, and my throat starts to close.

What a day, isn't it?

"Twenty-seventh, isn't it? Isn't it Leigh's birthday on..." Sawyer's forehead creases, and her eyes narrow as she solves the mystery, slicing my heart in my chest.

"No, you didn't." Mum shuts her eyes and turns away from me to face the corridor.

I shake my head abruptly. "He invited me. They all missed you, Mum, Christian too." I rush my words out, but I guess nothing could help me at this moment.

"You traitor," Mum screams with anger. The vibration of her voice reveals the broken side of me. I can't swallow the lump in my throat.

"Listen, Mum, maybe..." I attempted, but she interrupted, not giving me a chance to explain; not that I have any reasonable explanation to give.

"No! You listen, young lady... You lied to me, you deceived me so you could go and have a good time with my... with a family that kicked you out. Shame on you, Ava. I'm extremely disappointed in you." Mum broke down in tears, and her body shook with sobs.

How much pain have I caused?

"Auntie..." Sawyer immediately stood up from the couch and went to comfort my mum. She shot me a dagger-like glance before helping my mum to the bedroom.

I feel like a corpse – miserable, just like on the outside.

Weakly, I make my way to the bedroom that Sawyer and I share.

"Ava, what's wrong?"

Oh, she's right behind me.

I huff before asking, "Why are you here?"

"You weren't responding to my messages, I had to come and check on you."

"Couldn't you just take that as a hint and not show up at my house?" I know I shouldn't be rude to her, but I'm hurting too much to care.

"You know, if you're going to lie and keep me in the dark, you should at least try to let me know about it."

Can't she just leave me alone?

"Well, good, because there won't be a next time anymore." I practically cry.

"What happened to you?" Evie asked, confused.

"I don't know. You should go." Balancing on one foot, I struggle to take off my heels.

"Ava, what's wrong with you? This isn't like you at all." She worries, pressing further until I break down.

"Of course, this isn't like me at all. I don't know who or what I've become. All I know is I'm broken and shattered into a thousand pieces – some visible while some are lost. And I can't try, for any effort I make comes with an excruciating price." I blurt out, my voice choked with wrenching sobs.

"Ava..."

"I try my best to impress him, but then they all come around, pestering... I don't know how to stop wanting him so desperately. I can't imagine losing him. But none of it matters to anyone, because it's either an abomination or a crime, and it bloody hurts. I sit around, always watching his sister wanting him with some cruel and inhuman person. Meanwhile, his father wants him with another polished girl who's going to medical school at Harvard. Where do I fit into all of this?" I exhale a whimper and shake my head, questioning her. "Nowhere... Yet my mum is innocent, but look at what I put her through, just because I thought we could have a fairytale happy ending... Why, for once, can't I have something work in my favour? Is it too much to ask for? I get caught up in this feeling, refusing to realize that I can never show him off to the world. No matter what I try, he and I can never be together. I can't even have someone as perfect as him. He's too much for me." I forgot to breathe until I realize that I'm really revealing my deepest secret to someone.

"Ava?" Terrified, it's evident on her face.

"I don't like it here. I've always wanted to stay in London... I curse the side of me that made me so compliant with my mother's decision. God knows I tried. I wanted to be obedient and be the girl who was always by her side. I even began to feel at home here. He made me feel at home – he's always there, even though he's never visible in public. But just when I thought I had him, everything is falling to pieces, and then Mum decides we're leaving." I let out a laugh that turns into a whimper. "I don't blame her. I'm the one who ruined everything... And now, I have pain that I don't know how to heal." It becomes unbearable, and I can't find my voice as it trails off.

I give in and finally drop to my knees, letting the indescribable pain take over my body.

"Ava, what are you talking about?" Evie cautiously asks.

Bile rises in my throat. I hate myself. "I'm a mess... I made a selfish mistake." My voice cracks, barely audible.

"We all make mistakes, Ava. You can tell me," she says, sitting next to me and holding my hand in hers, further igniting the tears that I wish could stop.

"I'm in love with Leigh."