Vanessa's birthday bash blared with neon, the lights burning my eyes.
I hunched by the pillar, guests' voices stabbing like shards:
"Ethan's giving her the west wing! Just 'cause she batted her lashes."
"Claire? Please-she tried to poison Vanessa last month. Ethan caught her red-handed."
"Good thing Vanessa's a saint. Saved his pack from ruin, too. Claire's just a reject now."
Their words cut deep.
I sipped my water, face blank, trying to block them out.
The gift-giving part of the night kicked off, and Vanessa stood at the center of it all, glowing like the moon surrounded by stars.
Ethan showered her with one extravagant present after another-limited-editioncustom jewelry, a deed to a private island.
"Thank you, everyone-these gifts are divine,"
Vanessa trilled, her smile sticky as honey.
Then her gaze sliced to me, sharp as a blade.
"Though. someone's missing from the fun, isn't she?"
Every head turned my way.
My grip tightened on my glass, knuckles going white.
"No biggie, I won't make it awkward," Vanessa said with a fake-generous wave, but her gaze zeroed in on my neck.
"That crystal necklace you're wearing-it's gorgeous. How about gifting it to me for my party?"
My hand drifted to the necklace, fingers brushing the cool stone.
Years ago, Ethan gave it to me, calling it a Calloway family heirloom, meant only for his future mate.
He'd dropped to one knee, promising to love me forever. Now I knew it was all part of his twisted game.
"Fine," I said calmly, unclasping the necklace and handing it over.
Ethan's face darkened.
"What, you'll let her take everything?" Ethan snarled, his voice sharp enough to cut.
I looked at the necklace in my hand and let out a bitter laugh. I was dying-what did I have left to hold onto?
"Yeah," I said, meeting his gaze head-on. "Anything Vanessa wants, she can have."
A flicker of rage flashed in Ethan's eyes.
"Alright then," he sneered.
"Vanessa gave me a new heart, an artificial one. I know you've got the same blood type. Why don't you donate your heart to her?"
My heart? I didn't have one to give anymore.
"No, no way!" Vanessa grabbed his arm, panic in her voice.
"I don't want her heart! My artificial one just needs regular swaps. She. she's tied to your pack's bad blood. Her heart's tainted. I don't want it anywhere near me."
Ethan scooped Vanessa into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he shot me a glare.
"You're right. Her heart's too filthy for you."
When the band struck up the birthday song, Vanessa lifted her diamond tiara to let Ethan fasten it, eyes fluttering shut. The crowd roared, stomping their feet:
"Kiss! Kiss!"
In the middle of their cheers, Ethan leaned down and kissed her, deep and lingering.
Vanessa's arms looped around his neck, practically melting into him.
I turned to leave, my legs wobbly from exhaustion.
I stumbled, catching myself against the wall, and shuffled toward the exit, the crowd's hoots echoing in my ears.
Outside, the night air was crisp.
I wandered aimlessly until I hit the edge of the infinity pool.
The moonlight spilled over the water, turning the ripples into a glittering veil-pretty enough to make you forget the chlorine stinging your nostrils.
Somewhere behind me, the party's music thumped, a mocking beat to match the ache in my chest.
I stood there, lost in the shimmer, when a sudden force shoved me from behind.
A splash, and icy water swallowed me whole.
I didn't fight it.
I let myself sink, the cold flooding my nose and mouth.
The suffocation was almost. freeing.
Back at the banquet hall, Ethan and Vanessa were locked in their kiss when a scream pierced the air.
"Someone's dead! She jumped in the swimming pool!"
