Arya's POV
I woke up with a start to the sound of my ringtone.
It was barely six in the morning, and I couldn't think of anyone who would call me so early.
Please don't let it be the hospital, I prayed as I picked up my phone from beside my pillow and sat upright in bed.
My brows pulled together when I finally saw the name on the screen.
It was my best friend and roommate, Aurora.
Why was she calling so early when she was in the next room? I wondered as I answered the call.
"Aur—"
"Happy birthday, best girl!" Aurora screeched into the phone.
I winced and pulled the phone away from my ear. I could still hear her from the other room.
"I wanted to be the first person to wish you," she said, and I smiled faintly.
It wasn't like there was anyone else to compete with. My boyfriend, Derek, wasn't good with dates, so he hardly remembered my birthday unless I reminded him.
Before I could say a word, she broke into a pitch-perfect rendition of the classic birthday song.
I blinked, momentarily stunned.
I can't believe it's my birthday.
My twenty-fifth birthday.
"Thank you, Aura," I said softly, though I wasn't particularly happy about it.
This wasn't the kind of life I had imagined for myself at twenty-five.
I never imagined becoming an orphan or my younger brother lying in a coma while I battled hospital bills. I certainly hadn't foreseen becoming a college dropout working in a boutique as a sales clerk.
I got the job only because my boyfriend was the manager. And that was a secret from the rest of the staff.
Life rarely goes the way we plan. The last three years have taught me that much.
"Arya!" Aurora snapped.
I looked up to find her standing at my door, staring at me.
Only then did I realise she had already hung up. I dropped the phone on the bed.
"Sorry. I zoned out," I said weakly. "What did I miss?"
"I said we are going clubbing tonight to celebrate your birthday," she replied, jumping onto my bed. "I've got everything planned out."
I opened my mouth to say no, but she beat me to it.
"Don't you dare say no or come up with an excuse. You've been doing that for the past three years."
"Derek might have plans for my—"
Aurora cut me off with a snort. "Derek? Please. We both know he has nothing planned. That is, if he even remembers it's your birthday. Anyway, I'm feeling generous today. He can join us at the club. My new boyfriend is—"
"Aura, please," I said, on the verge of tears. "I'm not in the mood. You know my situation."
"And that's exactly why we're going. You need a break. You're a shadow of yourself—"
"You'd be too if you were in my shoes!" I snapped, frustration spilling over. "I'm on the verge of losing the only family I have left. You know that! I can't be partying right now."
I swiped angrily at the tears on my cheeks.
Aurora sighed and took my hand. "I get it, Arya. I really do. But staying at home won't solve anything, will it? And going out for one night won't make things worse either. It's your birthday. Your twenty-fifth birthday. It's my duty as your best friend to make sure we make it count. Please."
She didn't give me a chance to respond.
"And I told you before, I'll give you my savings. All of it. I know it's not much, but—"
My alarm rang.
"Let's continue this later. We have to get ready for work. I'll shower first," I said as I got out of bed.
Aurora and I worked in separate shops within the same mall.
Aurora looked at me for a moment. "I'll drag you to the club if I have to," she promised before walking away.
I rolled my eyes as I walked into the bathroom.
Now that I knew her plan, I had no intention of returning home. I'd spend the night at Derek's instead.
When I got to the boutique, Derek was already there.
He was behind the counter chatting with one of my female colleagues.
He glanced at me when I walked in. "You're here," he said, then returned his attention to the other girl.
The girl with him looked me over and smirked.
For a second, I just stood there, watching him.
As usual, he'd forgotten my birthday.
Something small and quiet sank inside my chest, but I pushed it down quickly. I didn't have the luxury of caring about that right now.
He glanced at me when he noticed I was still standing there. "Get to work."
I forced a smile. "Yes, sir."
The morning passed in a blur.
I was attending to a customer, forcing a polite smile as I showed her a selection of handbags, when my phone started vibrating in my pocket.
I ignored the call at first because we weren't allowed to use our phones during work hours, but then it kept vibrating.
"Excuse me," I said quickly to the customer, already reaching for my phone. "Just a moment."
I turned away from her and took out the phone to see who was calling.
It was the hospital.
Everything inside me went cold, and my hand froze over the screen.
They certainly couldn't be calling to wish me a happy birthday.
My fingers trembled as I answered. "Hello?"
"Miss Winters," the voice was firm and urgent. "I'm sorry to inform you that the management has decided that we cannot delay any longer. We've extended as much as we can—"
My breath caught. "No… please."
"I'm sorry," the voice continued. "You need to come in right away."
The call ended.
For a second, I just stood there, frozen.
They were really going to pull the plug.
Andrew was going to die.
Then everything crashed at once.
"Andrew…" I whispered.
I didn't think. I barely remembered where I was.
I dropped the bag I was holding back onto the counter and rushed out.
"Arya—!" I vaguely heard a colleague call after me, but I didn't stop.
All I could think about was getting to the hospital. If I didn't get there in time… I would lose him.