Chapter 5

By the time Alexander came back, it was already one a.m.

He smelled like Chloe’s favorite Tom Ford perfume.

He smiled at me, warm and indulgent.

“Were you waiting for me to dry your hair?”

I looked at him coldly and was just about to question him.

Then Chloe’s video call came in.

She blew me a kiss through the screen, her eyes bleary and glassy, still half-drunk.

“Bella, you’re the best.”

“I love the brooch you gave me.” Her voice suddenly dropped.

“I just feel bad. I’m so broke, and tomorrow is your birthday. I can’t give you anything that expensive in return…”

I cut her off, my voice flat. "Oh."

Chloe froze for a second when she saw my face.

Then Alexander wrapped his arms tight around me from behind,

burying his face in my neck —

the same as always, competing with Chloe for my affection.

“Bella, the person who loves you most is obviously me…”

As he spoke, his lips moved toward my cheek.

On the screen, Chloe let out a sharp scream —

and her phone crashed to the floor.

Alexander’s eyes snapped to my phone.

In an instant, all the color drained from his face.

Chloe wasn’t on the video. No sound, either.

He rushed straight toward the entryway, his voice tight with an agitation and panic I had never heard from him before.

“Bella, something's wrong with Chloe. I have to go check on her!”

The door slammed shut with a loud bang.

But I heard it clearly.

Right before the call cut out, I caught the faintest laugh.

I opened that anonymous blog again.

The newest post dripped with malice, all of it aimed straight at me.

“She’s so stupid. She has no idea I called him away on purpose.”

“Tomorrow is her birthday, and she definitely won’t figure out my gift is meant to disgust her. Boring.”

My heart sank — cold, heavy, all the way down.