The thought slices through my ribs like a knife.
My mind starts spiraling, darker and darker, until tears sting my eyes. I grit my teeth and force them back.
Like fate itself is laughing at me, my phone pings with a message.
Aziel:Tomorrow is Mom's birthday. I don't care what you have planned, just be there. Don't disappoint her, too.
Fuck my life.
I scream out loud in the middle of the street. People scatter, probably thinking I'm insane. Good for them.
I hate him.
I fucking hate him.
Why did he have to be Ezrah's first everything? Why did he get his body, his soul, his heart? Why did Aziel get to be Ezrah's everything?
Even now, two years after they broke up, Ezrah still thinks of him.
I'll always be plagued by the ghost of my half-brother.
I'll always be the little brother of Ezrah's ex-husband. His sweetheart. His first love.
They say first love always keeps a special place in your heart, don't they?
I hate it.
I hate it so much I'd rip my own chest open just to carve out the pieces of me that hurt this much.
Yesterday night was perfect. So why did this morning turn into this?
My phone pings with another message, and I swear to hell if it's Aziel, I'll drive to his place and rearrange his face, consequences be damned.
Fluffy:Hey, I haven't heard from you in a while. What are you up to?
Me:I'm on the verge of committing homicide. You?
Our phones are protected, and that allows us to message without worrying about authorities.
Fluffy:Who's going to be your victim? I'm just having breakfast.
Breakfast. If I hear that word again, I won't be responsible for what I do.
Me:Aziel.
Fluffy:Finally! If you need help, let me know.
Fluffy:By the way, I know what date tomorrow is. Do you want a task for the day?
Me:Yes! Give it to me. No. Better yet, give me at least two tasks.
Fluffy:Whatever you need, my dear.
Some of my rage eases. Fluffy always knows what to give me when I'm drowning.
Tomorrow, I'll have two monsters to torture and bring to the door of death. I'll be busy, and I'll be able to forget what day it is.
I've always wondered how Aziel is capable of living his shiny life with his head shoved so far up his ass he can't see the truth. Let him rot. I'm done playing his games.
