Gabriel chimed in, echoing the dismissal. “Stop ruining everything with your jealousy, Elena.”
It wasn’t jealousy. It was betrayal.
Now, at her birthday party, I watched them laugh and clink glasses like stars of some twisted romantic comedy. Nathan had just taken a shot, tilting the empty glass to Sabrina’s lips, his hand grazing her waist as though they belonged together. My chest tightened.
I rose quietly, slipping to one of the guest rooms upstairs. Pulling the blanket over me, I tried to block it all out. Then the door creaked.
“Elena?” Sabrina’s voice was false, sweetly concerned. “They’re looking for you downstairs. Fireworks are about to start.”
“I’m tired. Leave me alone,” I said.
She stepped closer, coaxing. “Come on… it’s my birthday. You’re really going to sulk?”
I faced her, voice low, icy. “Sabrina, isn’t it enough that I was forced to be here?”
Her frown deepened. “Do you hate me now? You think I stole them from you? That was never my intention. We were best friends once—”
“Stop.” I raised a hand. “Go enjoy your stupid party.”
But she grabbed my wrist, pulling. “Come on! It’ll be fun. I’m happy when you’re around—”
“Don’t touch me!” I yanked, but her grip only tightened.