Chapter 47

**G R A C E**

As I approach the table with Matt, the noise from the party is deafening, yet in my head, everything feels oddly quiet. All I can focus on is him. Alex. His figure stands tall by the far end, surrounded by familiar faces. I brace myself for some kind of reaction. After all, I'm wearing the red dress. His red dress.

But nothing happens.

He doesn’t even acknowledge my presence. No smile, no second glance. He doesn’t even see me. A quick, barely-there moment of eye contact before he turns away, answering a call as though I don't exist.

I feel the disappointment hit like a wave. A cold, hard slap. How stupid could I be? I actually thought he’d notice me, care even, after everything. But here I am, looking like a complete idiot for waiting all day, hoping for some sign, some acknowledgment—anything. But it’s obvious now: I don’t matter. Not to him.

I stand there, stiff and awkward, while Matt gives me an easy smile, completely unaware of the hurricane of emotions swirling inside me. We make small talk with others, but my focus drifts back to Alex, who’s re-entering the party after his call. He still doesn’t look at me. Not even a glance. He walks straight to Sophia, who immediately clings to his side, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Alex taps a spoon against his glass, commanding everyone’s attention with the ease of someone who knows the room belongs to him. The chatter dies down, and all eyes are on him as he speaks.

“As you all know, we’ve gathered to celebrate my sister’s 21st birthday, which is exactly three weeks from today,” he begins, his voice smooth and composed. “I’m grateful to all our delegates, business partners, family, and friends for joining us on Moretti Island. We’ve prepared three weeks of celebration for you, so please, if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, let me know.”

There’s polite applause, but I’m not really paying attention. I’m too busy feeling invisible. Even now, as he thanks everyone for being here, it’s as though I’m not even in the room.

“At my sister’s request,” Alex continues, “we have a special performance tonight from her favorite K-pop artists. And tomorrow, we’ll be joined by the sensational Bruno Mars. The lineup for the next few weeks is open for suggestions, so feel free to contribute to the festivities.”

More applause. The excitement in the air is palpable. Then, Alex turns to Sophia with a smile that’s meant for her alone.

“And now, to kick off the celebration, Sophia will cut her first cake and start the countdown to her big day.”

The crowd parts as a massive cake is wheeled in on a trolley. Sophia grabs Alex’s hand, dragging him toward the cake as everyone cheers and whistles. I stand on the outskirts, trying to blend into the background, but I feel a prickling sensation as if someone’s eyes are on me.

Sophia spots me. My heart sinks.

Before I can slip away into the crowd, Matt is there, blocking my path with that same unsettling smile. “The birthday girl’s looking for you,” he says softly, his hand landing on my shoulder, turning me back toward the cake.

I feel trapped. Sophia’s gaze is on me, her arm outstretched, beckoning me to join her. And Alex is standing right beside her, his eyes as dark and empty as they were moments ago.

I can’t look at him. I just... can’t. His indifference feels like a punch to the gut. The memory of how he looked at me in the store—the heat, the intensity—it’s all gone. I feel hollow.

But I step forward anyway, forcing a smile as I take Sophia’s hand. She pulls me in beside her, placing me on her other side. Her happiness is contagious, and for a moment, I push everything aside. I focus on her—on my best friend and how much she means to me.

Sophia takes the knife, her hands trembling with excitement, and then she does something that makes my breath hitch. She pulls Alex’s hand onto the knife with hers... and then mine on top of his.

The contact is cold. Alex’s hand beneath mine feels like ice, but I keep my expression neutral. The room erupts into applause as the cake is cut, and for a fleeting moment, I forget everything—Alex, his coldness, Matt’s strange presence—all of it fades as Sophia beams at me.

She cuts a piece of cake and feeds it to Alex, who takes the smallest bite imaginable, pressing a kiss to her forehead afterward. The room melts at the sight of their sibling love. Then Sophia turns to me, offering me the same slice. I take a giant bite, deliberately swallowing what feels like the entire slice.

We laugh. It’s genuine. I can’t help but feel a surge of joy as Sophia’s happiness radiates through me. I hug her tightly, and when I take a chunk of cream from the cake and smear it across her cheek, she shrieks in surprise.

The next thing I know, she’s chasing me around the room with a handful of cake, but she forgets all about revenge as soon as the K-pop group takes the stage. The performance captures her attention completely, and I find myself standing next to her, watching as she’s transported by the music.

I don’t get it. I never understood her obsession with Korean music, but seeing her this happy... it makes me smile.

For a while, I almost forget about Alex standing somewhere behind me. Almost.

There’s a woman next to him now. She’s tall, stunning, with a cold, distant gaze that matches his perfectly. They’re whispering to each other, giggling quietly. The sound grates against my nerves.

Is he smiling at her? The thought creeps in before I can stop it. Is he holding her the way he held me? I wonder if he’ll take her back to his room tonight, tuck her into his bed, take care of her, the same way he took care of me. The thought twists my stomach, and suddenly, I feel sick.

I can’t stay here.

I slip away from the crowd, grabbing two glasses off a passing tray and downing them quickly. The alcohol burns as it goes down, but I don’t care. I don’t care about anything right now.

Just as I start to make my escape, Matt steps in front of me, blocking my path again. He’s smiling, and for a second, I have no idea why. But then the music changes, softening into something slow and intimate, and he extends his hand to me.

“Care to dance?”