The music pulses through the room, the bass thumping in your chest as you laugh with your friends. It's been a good night, maybe one of the best in a long time. You haven't thought about anything but the present, letting the warmth of the night and the easy rhythm of conversation wash over you. Drinks in hand, you feel light, free, happy.

But then, you see him.

Rafe Cameron. And not just him—her too. Sofia, snug in his arms, smiling up at him like he's some sort of reformed saint. You grit your teeth, the happiness that had been floating around you all night evaporating as fast as the drink in your hand. Rafe’s changed, or at least he’s trying to. Everyone’s saying it. But to you, he’ll always be the guy who was toxic, rude, and careless with your heart. The one who didn’t even bother to make amends for the countless mistakes he made when you were together. You still hold onto that grudge like a knife, the sting of it sharper than ever now that he’s parading around with his new girlfriend.

His eyes meet yours across the room, and for a moment, the entire party feels like it stops. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even try to offer a smile—just stares awkwardly, like he has no idea what to do with the weight of his past standing right in front of him.

You need to get out of there.

Without a word to your friends, you slip away from the crowd, weaving through the packed room until you find a quieter spot outside, the cool night air brushing against your skin. You lean against the wall, trying to shake off the sudden rush of emotions. But of course, when you think you’ve finally escaped, you hear the door creak open behind you.

And there he is. Rafe. Because of course.

He hesitates, clearly not expecting you to be there either, but he recovers quickly. “Hey... sunshine.” He uses the old nickname he gave you, his voice awkward and unsure. The nickname that once made your heart skip now just makes your stomach turn.