_Author’s POV_
“All right, I don’t care what you do with him,” Zarelle said to her brothers, her mind preoccupied and her focus elsewhere.
She glanced at Daniel with a dismissive expression. He was on his own.
Panicking at Zarelle’s apparent abandonment, Daniel pleaded, “Zarelle… don’t leave me.”
Zarelle mouthed the words “serves you right” and walked away without looking back, leaving Daniel to face her brothers.
After everything that had happened, Zarelle’s birthday was no longer a cause for celebration. She felt a wave of frustration wash over her and sought solace on the balcony, hoping the fresh air would calm her restless mind.
She didn’t want to see Calden, Stephanie, or Lena. Why did they have to ruin her birthday?
“Zarelle, what’s wrong?” A masculine voice s
