Gone.
“Honey… what are you doing?”
I didn’t even turn around. I just gathered the torn pieces, white and lifeless now, and dumped them into the trash.
“It’s nothing,” I said, my voice dry, empty. “Just… a corrupted file. Didn’t need it anymore.”
Drake stepped closer. “Corrupted? Let me see that.” He frowned slightly, staring at the shredded pieces. “Why does this look familiar… Chloe, what exactly did you—”
Before he could finish, the door opened.
“Drake,” Chiara’s voice came soft, gentle, like she belonged here more than I ever did.
He turned instantly. Just like that. Like I didn’t exist.
She walked in holding a bouquet of strong-scented white lilies, smiling shyly. “I brought these… I thought maybe she’d like them.”
Drake’s eyes softened right away. “You shouldn’t be walking around too much. What if something happens to you or the pup?”
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice light. “I just wanted to do something nice.”
He took the bouquet from her and turned to me, placing it in my arms. “Here. For you.”
“Happy birthday, Miss Brightman,” Chiara added softly.