My simple request caused a flash of panic to cross his face, and unease crept into his expression.
Carl nodded in agreement. But before he could say anything further, his phone rang.
With a glance at the screen, he hurriedly explained, “The pack’s meeting has been rescheduled. I have to head back immediately to deal with it.
“Once the resource allocation is finalized, combined with your parents’ support, my plan to succeed as the Moonstone Pack’s leader will be solid. Don’t wait up for me tonight. I promise I’ll keep my word about the party.”
He was already backing toward the door as he spoke, and the moment he finished, he was out the door.
I stood still while listening to the distinctive ringtone fade away.
It was Ivy’s personalized ringtone.
I knew it well, but I didn’t call him out on it.
The next morning, party planners arrived at the house.
Ivy came along too.
With a bright smile, she said, “Blaire, I designed the party layout, so I came to oversee things.”
She stood there, confident and composed, as though she owned the place.
By evening, after a whole day of preparation, I realized that the setup looked oddly familiar. It was a simplified version of Ivy’s previous birthday party.
Once the staff left, Ivy walked over to me with a smug smile and remarked provocatively, “Blaire, everyone worked hard today. What do you think? Does it suit you?”
I stared at the ring on her finger—the very one I’d lost.
My voice turned icy as I replied, “Secondhand items suit you well. Keep them for yourself.”
The words had barely left my lips when she glanced to the side, then grabbed a decorative silver knife from the cabinet and slashed her own arm. Blood dripped as she whimpered pitifully.
Before I could react, Carl had already slapped me across the face.
“Have you had enough? Ivy took time off to help organize your party, and this is how you repay her? If you’re not happy with it, then do it yourself!”
Without giving me a chance to explain, he stormed out with Ivy in his arms.
I spent the entire night alone in the lively yet hollow living room.
By morning, no one had shown up for the party.
Of course, no one would come. Over the past ten years, it had always just been me, orbiting around Carl.
When the birthday cake arrived, I opened the box, cut a small slice for myself, and lit a tiny candle. Closing my eyes, I made a wish.
I wished to never see him again.
Because Ivy had deliberately chosen a mango-flavored cake, I couldn’t eat it due to my allergy.
When the countdown ended and my phone buzzed loudly with a reminder, I picked up my suitcase and left the Moonstone Pack without looking back.
On my train, which was heading to another pack, I sent Carl one final text message.
“We’re over. Don’t contact me again.”
It wasn’t even a breakup.
One word was enough to bid farewell to ten years of my youth and my obsession with Carl.
As the train whistle sounded and it began to pull away, my phone lit up with a flurry of calls from him.
