There he was—Desar, laughing and setting off fireworks with Elize, the previous Alpha’s daughter, and his so-called childhood friend. His expression was alive, a look of warmth I’d never seen directed at me. He wore a carefree smile as he looked down at her, eyes softened with tenderness. My heart clenched as I watched the fireworks reflect in his eyes, bright and full of life. I’d convinced myself Desar just wasn’t the type to show emotion like that; he was distant because he was… reserved, maybe. But no, that side of him was there—it just wasn’t for me.
As the cheers in the video rose around them, I realized how foolish I’d been. I sat in the quiet of his empty apartment, the cake sitting untouched on the table. The flickering candles I’d set up earlier suddenly looked dim, and the evening I’d so carefully prepared felt pointless.
I took a deep breath and dialed his number. Desar picked up after a few rings, his voice cold and clipped. “What is it?”
There was laughter in the background and the faint sound of a firework bursting. I held back a shudder, and after a long silence, I said, “Where are you?”