𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 31 : Happy birthday

On Monday morning, Alex wakes up to the smell of bacon and laughter drifting up from the kitchen. He drags his feet out of bed, his heart heavy with the prospect of another day of being ignored by the one person he can’t seem to let go.

In the shower, he reaches for the vanilla-scented shampoo Ivy uses, half-convincing himself it’s not obsessive. He just needs that comforting scent around him.

With his morning routine finished, he takes a deep breath and steels himself before swinging open his door and heading downstairs.

In the kitchen, he finds Mason, Luca, and Tyler huddled around the island, their laughter filling the room.

“Morning,” he greets, and the laughter softens.

“Hey, Al,” Tyler grins, and Luca slides him a plate of food. Alex nods his thanks, trying to focus on anything but the empty space where Ivy should be.

“Where is everyone?” Alex pops a tomato in his mouth.

“Kinwo went to visit his family, Dexter’s meeting his coworkers, and Ivy’s having a ‘girl day,’” Luca says.

“Girl day?” Alex tries to keep his tone neutral.

Luca rolls his eyes. “She’s a neat freak, man. Once a month, she spends the day at a salon, getting her nails done, spa treatment, the whole nine yards. She comes back practically floating.”

Alex murmurs acknowledgment and returns to his eggs, but an ache settles in his chest, making each bite feel forced.

The conversation drifts to Luca’s family and Mason’s health, eventually landing on Tyler’s girlfriend, Sam.

“She’s perfect,” Tyler says, almost like it’s a problem.

Luca raises an eyebrow, folding his napkin thoughtfully. “When are you gonna tell Ivy?”

Tyler shifts uncomfortably. “I was thinking about introducing Sam after Ivy’s birthday, but I don’t want to ruin her day if they don’t hit it off.”

“Well, Ivy has to get used to it sometime,” Mason says, surprising everyone. “If you like Sam and she’s kind to Ivy, that’s what matters. One day, Ty, you’re gonna build a life with someone—and Ivy will, too. You either learn to navigate that together or lose each other in the process.”

Mason’s words sink in, and Alex feels them sharper than he wants to admit. The thought of Ivy building a life with someone else twists something deep inside him.

Yes, he likes Ivy. He cares for her like family, and yet, the idea of her with someone else churns his stomach. It’s a pull he doesn’t understand, a need to know every piece of her that he can’t explain away.

When Mason pats his back on the way out, Alex is left in silence, each word replaying in his mind like a dare.

Tyler nudges him, breaking the tension. “What do you think, man?”

Alex forces a smile. “I think you should bring Sam. Just make sure Ivy feels special on her birthday first. It’ll make it easier.”

Luca snorts. “Tiny problem—she hates her birthday. The only thing she likes about it is Rosa and Charles visiting.”

Alex's gaze sharpens. “Then we’ll change that. Make it a day worth remembering.”

Luca grins and leans in, eyes glinting. “Got ideas, Curly?”

Alex flicks him on the nose with a smirk. “I might.”

---

Wednesday morning arrives, and the Bellow residence hums with anticipation. Gold balloons scatter around the house, and the kitchen table overflows with confetti and gluten-free treats.