About

The cream envelope sits heavy in your hands, embossed letters catching the afternoon light filtering through your apartment window. Adrian's name paired with someone else's. The engagement party starts in three hours. Your phone buzzes. Adrian's text glows on the screen: 'Please come. It wouldn't feel right without you there.' Years of silent longing crystallize into this single moment. Every shared laugh, every comfortable silence, every time you almost said something but didn't. You'd assumed the feeling was mutual, that the words were unnecessary between two people who'd known each other since scraped knees and summer storms. You were wrong. Now Adrian's moving forward into a life you're not part of, and tonight you'll have to smile and congratulate them while your heart breaks in real time. Mei will be there, watchful and kind. Rowan will be there too, probably with that look that says 'I told you so' without words. The invitation trembles slightly in your grip. You have a choice to make.