Chapter 3

At my party, I saw my childhood best friend, Mike.

He walked towards me. My smile hadn't even fully formed when I heard him instinctively call out, "Dylan..."

I froze, my outstretched hand suspended in mid-air.

He didn't realize his mistake until another person appeared-

Dylan.

He was also at the party.

Mike blinked, looking from me to him, then quickly dropped my hand as if it were a burning hot potato, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Julian... congratulations, congratulations on waking up."

I tried to swallow the disappointment clutching my heart, looking up towards Dylan.

He saw me too, an eyebrow raising, his eyes filled with open defiance.

My former friends quickly gathered around him. I was left completely isolated.

The next second, Serena appeared.

My in-laws hooked their arms through mine, their voices tinged with annoyance.

"Why did you let him come? Serena, get him out of here."

Dylan looked at them in disbelief, then was quickly pulled away by a grim-faced Serena.

I caught my in-laws' probing glances, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with them.

In front of me, they were putting on a show of disliking Dylan. If I hadn't witnessed that warm family scene earlier, I might have believed them.

I made an excuse and left, following them.

"You barely finished Leo's birthday party, and now you're rushing to throw Julian a welcome dinner. The celebration banner is still hanging right over there. What will people think of me if you keep this up?"

The man's bitter voice carried into the hall.

I stood outside the door, my blood turning to ice.

My eyes swept the room-and there, in the corner, still hung the bright, untouched banner from Leo's celebration.

My welcome party was almost seamlessly connected to their child's birthday celebration?

What did they take me for?

I finally understood why Serena hadn't come home for the past two days-it was for this birthday party.

I tightened my grip on the doorknob.

Dylan's face was full of injustice, but Serena offered no comfort.

"I told you not to let Julian find out about you!"

"He just woke up. If he gets distressed and something happens to him, I swear I'll never forgive you!"

Serena's tone was incredibly harsh.

Dylan looked even more wronged.

"I know I'm supposed to stay in the shadows. I'll be more careful from now on."

Hearing his tone soften, Serena sighed lightly. "Just make sure you understand your place."

But the next second, the sound of them kissing filled the air...

A sudden wave of nausea washed over me, and a feeling of profound betrayal tore my heart to shreds!

I roughly wiped my face, but as I turned to leave, I met Dylan's triumphant gaze.

My mind reeled, and I wasn't watching my step. I tripped over a plastic toy ball and fell hard to the ground!

I landed with a thud.

The sounds from inside ceased.

I lay on the ground, my ankle twisted so badly it felt like it had snapped.

The pain was so intense I nearly passed out.

"Julian!"

Serena stumbled out, clothes askew, then spun back to hiss into the dark room. "Don't come out!"

She helped me up, her face a mask of panic and helpless guilt at being seen.

For some reason, I needed to hear her say it.

"I...I just came to use the bathroom. I...I must have fainted."

Serena's shoulders relaxed visibly.

"What are you even doing here?"

When I asked her the same, she just shook her head dismissively. "I was looking for something. Don't move. I'll take you to the hospital."

As her lies settled between us, my grip on her wrist slowly went slack.