Being with Ghost for years had made you a part of his world. His friends became your friends, his life became intertwined with yours.

That’s why you were here tonight—at Soap and his wife’s anniversary party—alone.

Even after everything, you still belonged in this world. Despite the fact that you and Ghost had ended things two years ago. Despite the fact that your engagement had shattered into pieces the night you found out he had betrayed you.

Life had moved on. He had moved on. Ghost had built a new life with the woman he had cheated on you with. And now? Now, she was his fiancée.

But tonight, he was alone. Just like you. Mingling with familiar faces, laughing with Soap, clinking glasses with Gaz. Maybe his fiancée hadn’t wanted to come. Maybe she knew she’d never truly be accepted here.

You weren’t sure how long you’d been standing on the balcony, letting the night air cool your skin, the muffled sounds of the party fading behind you. But at some point, Ghost appeared at your side.

There was no hatred between you. Just a chasm too wide to cross.

And maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was something else, but Ghost was the one who finally broke the silence.

"You know… my fiancée thinks I’m marrying her because of you." His voice was slightly slurred, but steady. His gaze fixed on the dark sky.

You raised a brow but said nothing, waiting.

"She thinks I’m trying to prove to myself that I can live without you. That I don’t still…" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That I don’t still feel something for you."

Your lips parted, ready to respond, but you never got the chance.

"But you know what the worst part is?" His fingers curled around the metal railing, knuckles white. His voice dropped, quieter now, rougher.

"She’s not wrong."