The happiness I’d felt moments before vanished, replaced by a wave of irritation that coursed through me.

“When I say everyone, I mean everyone, Leo. No exceptions,” my voice sounded harsh.

“But I don’t want her there,” he said, his anger evident.

“Who’s Piper?” Sebastian interjected.

“That annoying girl in my class. I don’t like her. She’s such a pain, and seeing her on my special day would ruin my mood.”

I understood Piper annoyed him, but refusing to invite her to his birthday party while inviting everyone else was simply mean and unnecessary.

“Do you know how hurt she’ll be? That would probably break her heart,” I reasoned calmly, though I knew it was futile, especially given his glare.

“I don’t care at all,” he replied, his tone cold and stubborn.

I was losing patience. It wasn’t that I was taking the girl’s side, but I’d been through it. I knew the pain of being the only one excluded from a party, the sting of contempt when you’d done nothing to deserve it.

“Leo…” I warned.

“I’m not inviting her; she can cry an ocean, but I will never invite her!”

I reached my limit. I slammed my hand on the table, fury blazing, turning to Leo. Everyone was shocked. I’d never lost my temper like this, but Leo had pushed me too far.

“I don’t care if you like her or not! If you’re inviting your entire class, you have to invite her too, or there won’t be any party at all, do you understand? Either you invite her, or I cancel the whole thing,” I yelled.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Leo looked shocked.

“Try me,” I snarled. He gave me a cold look, pushed his chair back, and stomped away. Usually, I would follow, but not today. I was still angry, still fuming. This was necessary.

I ran my fingers through my hair and stood up. I needed air, some space.

“Thea…” I ignored Sebastian and his brother’s surprised stares.

“Don’t… don’t talk to me until you’re ready to tell me what the fuck you’re hiding,” I growled, walking away.

I stormed back to the bedroom. I wanted to scream, shout, hit something or someone. I was tense, the frustration threatening tears.

“Thea, please talk to me.” His gentle voice broke through my thoughts. I hadn’t noticed him following me, or entering the room.

“Are you going to tell me what you’re hiding from me?” I asked, tears streaming down my cheeks.

He just stared, turmoil hidden in his green eyes. Finally, he shook his head. “I can’t, Thea. I just can’t.”

“Why not?” I shouted, grabbing the nearest object and throwing it.

He moved gracefully, avoiding the hardcover book.

“I just want to know the truth; why can’t you tell me?” I broke down, falling onto the bed, the fight draining away.

He knelt in front of me, gently taking my hands.

“Because if you find out the truth, you’ll leave me. I can’t handle that, Thea. I can’t live without you.”

Love and fear flickered in his eyes. He was genuinely afraid I would leave him. He was genuinely afraid of losing me.

“But you know anything built on lies will eventually crumble, right?” I asked, wiping away my tears.

“I do… but I just need a chance, Thea.”

“A chance? What kind of chance?”

“A chance to win you over. A chance to make up for my mistakes, to fix what I broke. After that, I promise, I’ll tell you the truth,” he pleaded.

Should I believe him? I had a choice. Should I give him a chance, let the truth rest for now, or insist on knowing what he was hiding?