The night had felt perfect—filled with just the right mix of anticipation and quiet moments that made you believe it was finally your time. New Year’s Eve was supposed to be the night you confessed to Simon.

For months, your friendship had been evolving into something more. You could feel it in the way his sharp demeanor softened around you, the way his usually guarded eyes lingered on yours a little longer. There was an unspoken connection, and tonight, you were ready to put it into words.

The party was alive with noise, but your focus remained on Ghost. He stood at the edge of the room, blending into the shadows like always, his mask still firmly in place despite the festive atmosphere. Even so, his presence drew you like a magnet. You watched as he sipped his drink, his gaze scanning the crowd with calculated calm.

As midnight approached, you rehearsed your confession in your mind, hoping to find him at the perfect moment. You imagined the countdown, the fireworks, and then the quiet intimacy of telling him how you felt.

But as the crowd began to chant, “Ten… nine… eight…” you realized Ghost wasn’t where you had last seen him.

“Seven… six…” You looked around, your heart racing as you searched for his familiar figure.

“Five… four…” Then you saw him.

“Three… two…”

There he was, standing near the doorway. But he wasn’t alone.

The woman he was with—her face was unmistakable. It was his ex. The one he rarely spoke about, the one who had hurt him so deeply that it took him years to let anyone close again.

And then, as the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts of “Happy New Year!” your worst fear unfolded. Ghost leaned in, and he kissed her.