Chapter 20: She Not Only Hugged Him, But Also Refused to Let Go!
(Olivia Reed's POV)
I stared at my phone screen, reading Ethan's message for the fifth time. The words hadn't changed.
"Little Liv, sorry, Vanessa wants to go shopping in Monaco. We'll be staying for a few days, so I can't spend your birthday with you tonight..."
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. What was there to say? For over twenty years, Ethan had never missed my birthday. It was our tradition, our connection—a day that reinforced the potential mate bond our families had arranged.
And now, with a casual text, he'd broken that tradition for a shopping trip with Vanessa.
I tossed my phone onto my bed and collapsed beside it, feeling utterly drained. The weight of disap
