Chapter 4: Birthday Boundaries

Luke Sterling kept his word. The open bullying faded. No more public humiliation, no more destroyed property.

Madison was furious. Her glare followed me everywhere. But Luke just shrugged: "She’s learned to behave now. Knows her place. She won’t come near you again."

To prove himself to Madison, Luke moved me from the honors class to the bottom rung. From AP to remedial.

I kept my distance from Madison, ducking into bathrooms and taking different stairs. But with Luke, we couldn’t stay away. Three, four times a week, drawn together like addicts.

He never pretended it was more than it was. I played the reluctant victim, the corrupted innocent. But bodies close meant hearts growing closer, too.

We talked about classes, movies, nothing at all. The cliché romance hero with a tragic backstory—missing mother, a hole in his heart he tried to fill with Madison’s childhood candy.

I built myself into a little sun—warm, giving, always there. Good morning texts, good night messages, coffee emojis, TikToks. It cost me nothing. It paid off.

Luke started replying.

【Will you go to school today?】

【No】

【Which dress do you like me to wear?】

【1】

【Saw a necklace that suits you. I’ll buy it for you once I save up.】

【.】

When his birthday came, I bought him that necklace—a simple silver chain with a compass. A cheap funfetti cake, too, because deep down he was still a kid.

Luke’s stare was pure winter—he kicked the gift box flat, crushed the wrapping, and grabbed my neck. My hands shook, my voice caught, and for a second I remembered birthdays at home—cheap cake, a single candle, my mom’s weak smile, the only time we celebrated anything.

"Who the hell told you to celebrate my birthday? You think you get to decide that?"

"You’re just a plaything. Show you a little kindness and you forget your place?"

His grip tightened until my vision went white. Only when I started to black out did he let go. I hit the coffee table, gasping.

I coughed, forcing myself to smile. "But today is your birthday—birthdays are for eating cake, getting gifts, making wishes… for being happy you exist."

Luke kicked the sofa, rage burning in his eyes. "Can’t you fucking understand? I said I don’t celebrate birthdays!"

I said quietly, "Because of your mother?"

He froze. No one talked about that. Not even Madison.

His face twisted. He dragged me up by my wrist, my knees scraping wood. "Chloe Matthews, do you want to die?"

But I held his gaze, seeing past the anger. "She gave everything so you could be born. On this day, you should be happier than anyone—because that’s what she wanted for you. To live, not just survive."

He let go. For a second, his mask slipped. And for the first time, I saw the boy behind the monster.