She remembers birthdays that passed without gifts or cake, just shadows and silence and cold. She swore when she made it out, and understood the ways of the world, she’d celebrate everything.
And she does.
That’s why today matters.
Because today? She’s not just surviving. She’s thriving.
Caden leans in behind me, arms wrapped around my waist, his breath warm against my skin as we watch the sky blush into morning.
“I’m proud of her,” he whispers.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Me too.”
Just then, the door to May’s bedroom creaked open.
Caden yanked me to the side like we were hiding from the paparazzi.
“Get ready for the fireworks,” he whispered with a grin.
Ryan stood up and instinctively ran a hand through his hair, like he was about to walk the red carpet. He looked
