Love Lost to Illness and Lies

Armani's office was near the private clinic where I had my check-ups. When I arrived, it was late afternoon, yet the company was eerily quiet, with no one at the reception desk. The elevator took me to the top floor, directly to the CEO's office.

The usual stark industrial decor was transformed with pastel balloons and flower petals. Strings of multicolored fairy lights were everywhere. Employees gathered, cheering, with Armani and Vienna at the center, both smiling. Vienna wore a pink, Victorian-style dress topped with a hat shaped like a birthday cake, beaming with joy. They looked so perfect together, like a fairy-tale prince and princess.

Vienna glanced up and noticed me, then looked at Armani, surprised. I stepped inside, breaking the celebratory atmosphere like an uninvited guest.

"Happy birthday, Vienna," I said, then turned to Armani. "Why didn't you tell me it was Vienna's birthday? I didn't bring a gift."

Before Armani could respond, Vienna spoke up with a sweet smile, pulling out a pink scarf adorned with little teddy bears from behind her back.

"No need, Mikayla. Armani already gave me the best birthday present."

I looked at the scarf, which was identical to the one around my neck, except for the color.

Suddenly, a chill swept over me. I gazed at Armani with a sense of melancholy, but Armani merely gave Vienna a resigned smile.

"Don't be upset, Mikayla. Vienna saw your scarf last time and found out that I had knitted it, so she begged me for a long time."

"I figured her birthday was coming up, so I made it for her."

Vienna looked at me with innocent eyes.

"Mikayla, you won't be angry, right? I just thought this scarf suited me so well." She wrapped the scarf around her neck, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Armani.

Suppressing the nausea swirling in my stomach, I forced a smile. "Why would I be angry?"

I yanked the scarf from my neck, leaving a red mark, and casually walked over to Armani. Carefully, I draped the scarf around his neck.

I then smiled at Armani. "See? You both wearing it together looks just right."

Armani frowned with disapproval and removed the scarf, handing it back to me.

"Mikayla, don't make a scene. It's Vienna's birthday."

I didn't reach out to take it. It wasn't special anymore, just like me.

With a steady gaze, I looked at Armani. "I'm not making a scene, Armani. Congratulations to you both for a lifetime of happiness together."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and left.

Funny, even though the first snowfall had stopped, I felt colder than ever.