Her Ex's Science Project

That night, Harper never came back.

Right after midnight, I mumbled a "happy birthday" to myself.

Before I got dumped at Bendora, she'd gone with me for a checkup. Doctor said my stomach was healing fine, and Harper lit up.

"You'll be all better by your birthday," she'd said. "We'll celebrate big."

Yeah. She did celebrate—just not with me. She blasted fireworks across the city... for Jeremy's fake little science trophy.

At dawn, Kenny showed up with this tiny palm-sized cake.

"I remember you said today's your birthday, but your leg..." He trailed off, awkward, then lit the candle anyway.

If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have made it through those hellish days.

I closed my eyes, ready to make a wish—then the door creaked open.

Harper.

Her brows twitched like she just realized what day it was. "Oh. It's your birthday."

She started digging through her coat, clearly scrambling for a fake gift.

Too bad karma has a sense of humor—she yanked out a half-used box of condoms.

Red-faced, she shoved it back. "Someone must've put that there as a joke. I'll get you something later."

I blew out the candle hard. "Don't bother."

Her face darkened fast, hands shoved deep in her pockets.

"All this over a gift? I paid for your dad's treatment when he was dying. Now you're giving me attitude over a birthday? Seriously?"

I clenched my jaw and let her go off.

Because yeah—she wasn't wrong. She did save my family.

That kind of debt? Can't exactly be erased.

Kenny, still next to me, finally stood. As he walked out, his shoulder clipped hers—on purpose.

She stumbled, face icing over.

Shot me a look like I was the villain, then turned—only to almost smack into Jeremy, rolling in with his lab coat.

Faint red marks peeked out under his collar.

Harper's rage? Poof. She floated to him, all soft-voiced concern. "I told you to rest at home. Why'd you come back?"

Jeremy sneezed, shrugged. "You stripped to keep me warm last night. I'm good now."

Then he noticed me, dialed back the puppy eyes, and gave me a smile.

"I'm here for an important experiment. Need Zach's cooperation."

My heart tanked. I looked right at Harper, shaking my head, silently begging her—don't.

She just smiled at Jeremy like I wasn't even there. "It's fine. He's not doing anything anyway."

I was about to go through that nightmare again. All because of her.

Jeremy's smirk kicked in. "This might sting a little, Zach, but hang tight. You've handled worse."

Dread crawled up my spine like ice water.