CHAPTER 215: WORSE BIRTHDAY EVER

Everything spun too fast to make sense of.

We rushed past the valet line, past the fancy cars, the glittering guests still peeking through the glass walls like they were watching a movie instead of someone’s life falling apart.

My heart was racing.

Every sound.....the crunch of gravel under my shoes, the heavy thump of the bass still leaking out from the party, felt too loud.

Then I saw him.

By the fountain.

Dominic.

His jacket was off, he kept running a hand through his hair, pacing around.

The lights from the house spilled over his shoulders, catching the shimmer of water behind him.

Ren stood a few feet away, talking low, trying to get through to him.

Casper and Jasper were scanning the area, keeping people from coming close.

Ian also stood there, crossing his arms, looking like he wanted to punch someone.

"Dom," Ren said quietly, trying to reach him. "Hey. Talk to me, man."

Dominic didn’t even look up.

He had both hands in his hair, his breathing was uneven, like he was about to a sob.

June slowed beside me, whispering, "Oh my god."

My chest twisted.

I didn’t even think. I just moved.

"Dominic," I said softly, walking closer.

He turned at my voice, and the second our eyes met, everything inside me twisted.

He looked wrecked.

Red eyes. Trembling hands. Anger....but underneath it, hurt. So much hurt.

"Ash," he breathed out, shaking his head. "I swear to God, I didn’t..... I didn’t know he’d do that."

"I know," I said instantly.

Because I did.

Because I could feel the truth of it in his voice.

He laughed bitterly. "He didn’t even tell me. He just... he just stood there and announced I was getting engaged. Like I’m some prop in his fucking campaign."

Ren tried to steady him. "Dom, just breathe, okay? We’ll figure it out. Not here."

Dominic turned to Ren.

"Figure it out? You think there’s a way to ’figure out’ being engaged in front of the whole city?"

His voice broke.

"Everyone in there was recording," he kept talking fast. "I could see the phones. I could hear them...all those fake compliments. ’You’ll make a good couple, you’ll bring the cities together’.... fuck that!"

He kicked at the gravel near the fountain, hard enough that water splashed up.

June flinched beside me.

Ian exhaled, muttering, "that’s really selfish of him."

I took a step forward before I even realized it.

"Dom," I said again, louder this time.

"Ash," he breathed, like my name hurt to say.

He ran a hand down his face. "You shouldn’t have to see that."

I shook my head.

He exhaled hard, staring at the ground.

His voice broke on that last word.

June glanced between us, then quietly stepped back with Ian and the others, giving us space.

I moved closer, my chest kept aching.

"You okay?"

It was a stupid question. Of course he wasn’t.

He laughed again, bitterly. "No. No, Ash, I’m not okay. My dad just turned my birthday into a fucking press conference."

He looked up at me, tears welled up in his eyes.

"And then he announces I’m getting married to some girl I’ve never even held a conversation with."

I didn’t know what to say.

All I could do was step closer....close enough to feel the heat rolling off his body.

"I’m sorry," I said, and it came out shaky. "You don’t deserve that."

He blinked, then gave this tired smile that hurt more than his anger.

"Doesn’t matter what I deserve. He planned everything. The party, the announcement.... all of it, was for him. For his stupid reputation. He doesn’t even see me, Ash. I’m just..."

He stopped.

His hand ran through his hair again.

His eyes found mine.

And just like that, his voice softened.

All the noise, all the anger... it dimmed.

"I’m just his puppet," he said quietly. "And I’m so tired of it."

I clenched my jaw, swallowing down the anger burning in my chest.

How can a father humiliate his son like that and still call it love?

My throat tightened.

Without thinking, I reached for him, but he stepped back.

Not because he didn’t want me to, but because people were watching.

Security guards by the entrance. Some guests filtering out with their phones still out.

He looked at me like it physically hurt him not to close the distance.

All I managed was a whisper.

"I’m here, okay?"

"You shouldn’t be involved in this mess," he said quietly.

"I want to be," I said.

And I meant it.

"I don’t even know what’s gonna happen next," he said. "I just know... I hate that you had to see that."

"I know it’s not your decision. We will figure it out. Please fight for our love."

"Of course, I will."

But before I could breathe again, cameras started flashing from across the driveway.

Voices. Reporters who’d followed outside.

"Dominic! Dominic Vale!"

"Is it true you’re engaged to Gwen Dexter?"

"Is your father inside?"

"Are you leaving with her tonight?"

He flinched, stepping slightly in front of me.

Ian and Ren immediately moved in again, forming a shield between him and the noise.

"Let’s go," Ren said.

Ian nodded toward the car. "Get him out of here. I’ll handle the press."

Dominic turned to me...just a quick glance, but it felt like a thousand words were hiding in it.

"I’ll call you," he whispered. "I promise."

Then he got in the car, slammed the door...

And just like that....

he was gone.

The reporters chased after the car. The courtyard emptied.

June came up beside me quietly.

She didn’t say anything for a moment. Just stood there, arms crossed, staring at the road where the car disappeared.

Then softly, "You okay?"

I laughed....the broken kind. "I don’t even know what ’okay’ means anymore."

She exhaled. "Yeah. Me neither."

And as I stared at the space where Dominic had just been, all I could think was....

Happy birthday, Dominic.

You deserved so much better than this.