The white rose hit the floor with a soft crash, petals scattering everywhere.


    On screen, the two of them looked every bit the happy couple.


    And he he was just the outsider, watching someone else''s joy.


    The video, casual like a home vlog, was shot by Cassius himself, camera in hand.


    The setting: their house, that familiar four-story ce.


    They cooked together, fooled around in the backyard raking leaves, clinked sses of wine on the balcony,ughing as the sunset poured in. In every frame, Cassius was at the center-beaming, alive.


    Chasel and Cassius had done all these things, too.


    Back then, those memories were sweet as honey. Now, they burned like acid. Every inch of this room felt like a torture chamber, every breath a punishment.


    "Dr. Bright, he looks a lot like you, doesn''t he?"


    "Lover... soulmate..." Chasel whispered, staring at the screen, tears spilling down his cheeks as his whole body shook.


    “But Aubrey and I? We''re not blood. We met in foster care, grew up together. Ethan he didn''t even know his ownst name. He called me his brother. He picked the name Aubrey for himself, because he wanted to belong somewhere."


    "My brother''s only been in the ground a few years, and Cassius couldn''t wait to find someone new. The guy who swore he''d love him forever dumped those promises and moved on to his next thrill. You know what''s even more pathetic? He picked you—a cheap copy. Like he''s so deep and lost in grief, he just had to find someone who looks like Ethan to fill the void."


    A recement. A stand-in. A ghost of a love that never really died.


    Those words sliced through Chasel''s chest, sharp and bloody. He''d never expected to be Cassius''s only love. He just wanted to be thest one. The one who mattered now. The past was the past-until he realized:


    Cassius loved him, was drawn to him... because of a face that looked just like the one he''d lost.


    Heughed harder, voice breaking with spite. "But Cassius will never think he''s wrong. The guy''s arrogant, ruthless he always gets what he wants, no matter who gets hurt. Dr. Bright, you were never a coincidence. You were part of his n."


    His n. All along.


    Chasel stumbled back, vision swimming with red and ck, copsing onto the cold floor.


    ...


    Time ticked by. Eight o''clock came and went.


    Cassius had bought a four-story house in a quiet, leafy neighborhood just outside Elmsworth''s city center private, peaceful, a little love nest for them both. He called it a "small gift" for Chasel, but it was really their home.


    Tonight was Cassius''s birthday. He''d picked up bags of groceries, grabbed a nice bottle of red wine, and cooked dinner himself-even though it was his own birthday Every dish, every vor, was something Chasel loved.


    He never thought of himself. All he saw, all he cared about, was his foxy little lover.


    The table was covered with tes-roast chicken, creamy potato gratin, fresh- baked bread. Cassius was sweaty and exhausted, but so happy.


    But Chasel still wasn''t home.


    Cassius knew Chasel was a workaholic, but tonight was supposed to be different. He''d promised—note nights.


    A sliver of worry crept in. Cassius pulled out his phone, ready to call-


    The doorbell rang.


    He hurried to the door. Standing outside were Evadne and Jason, arms full of cake and presents.


    "Happy birthday, big bro!" Evadne grinned, her face still thin but her eyes bright and healthy again.


    Jason gave a warm smile. "Happy birthday, boss!"


    "Thanks. Come in,e in." Cassius''s heart warmed, then twisted with worry. "Evadne, are you sure you''re okay being out of the hospital so soon?"


    "I''m fine, I''m basically Wonder Woman! Is Chasel inside?"


    She peered around like a


    mischievous kid, winking. "Don''t


    worry, we''ll just drop off the gifts


    un. Wouldn''t want to interrupt any romantic celebrations"


    "Chasel''s not back yet."


    "Still? It''ste!"


    "I was just about to call him. Maybe something came up at the hospital."


    Just then, Cassius''s phone buzzed. A strange number shed on the screen.


    A chill crept into his gut.


    He answered, voice low and tense.


    "Hello?"


    A man''s voice, cold and mocking, answered on the other side:


    "Happy birthday, Hex."