Chapter 2
James didn't come home until early the next morning.
He was still damp from the night air as he slipped into bed and wrapped his arms around me, apologizing over and over.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I've been swamped with work and social stuff lately. I totally forgot yesterday was your birthday," he said.
If it weren't for all those posts flooding my feed last night, I might've actually believed him.
The thought that I mattered less to him than Athena's dog almost made me scoff out loud.
He probably expected me to break down in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Instead, I just pushed him away.
I stayed silent.
He paused, then hugged me even tighter, promising me earnestly.
He said, "Selena, it won't happen again.
"To make it up to you, I'll take you to a concert later and celebrate your birthday all over again."
Before I could even nod, his phone started buzzing nonstop in his pocket.
"James, I'm so nervous. Can you come keep me company?" Athena's voice came through the phone, soft and shaky.
Even though I didn't want to hear it, I caught every word.
James hung up, and right away, he started spinning another lie.
"Baby, I have to go to work. A client just dropped by unexpectedly," he said.
"Don't forget about the concert this afternoon. I'll send a car to pick you up," he added.
I watched as he walked away, my heart tangled with complicated emotions.
I sat there in a daze for ages before finally pulling myself together and heading out to what he called a concert.
When I got to the entrance, I stopped. The sign above the doors read: [Athena Nash World Tour Concert.]
Turns out, his apology and all that talk about making it up to me were just afterthoughts—nothing but an excuse.
With my frustration burning inside me, I went from one backstage dressing room to the next, searching for them.
Then I saw something that made me freeze. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
My ex-boyfriend and my husband were both standing there with their arms wrapped around Athena, cheering her on.
"Athena, you've got this today," Andrew said.
"This song won the top prize at the competition. You're going to be a star," James said.
Athena was so touched. "The three of us have to stick together forever."
After a moment, she pouted, looking worried, "You guys are so good to me. Selena won't get upset, will she?"
James smiled softly, "Athena, you're just too sweet."
He patted her head gently, like she was something precious.
His voice dropped low, comforting her. "If it weren't for you, she would never have my love in this lifetime. She should be thanking you."
Inside, laughter and tender affection filled the room, wrapping them in warmth.
And me? I was on the other side of that door. Hiding in the shadows. Tears streaming down my face.
Through the blur, memories started playing in my head. Growing up with James and Andrew. The promise James had made me. The time James reached for me when I was falling apart.
Frame by frame, I watched those memories catch fire. Burn. Turn to ash. Gone.
Numb and hollow, I turned my back and walked away.
Just then, a message from James buzzed in on my phone.
It read: [Baby, are you here yet? I'll come get you.]
I just kept staring at that message. I couldn't move past it.
The anger inside me was burning me up, making my chest ache with every breath.
My fingers shook as I typed out my reply, hitting the screen harder than I meant to.