NOT A GLASS

The lights were warm. The cake was stunning. The decorations sparkled like a dream.

And yet, Celeste had never felt more out of place.

She stood at the center of it all — smiles coming at her from every direction. Familiar faces she couldn't name. Hands squeezing hers. Hugs that lingered too long. Stories told like they were hers to remember.

"You've grown so much, Celeste."

"I remember when you used to run around in pigtails!"

"You were always so quiet, just like now."

She laughed when expected. Nodded. Smiled.

Inside, she felt hollow.

Across the room, she saw Elise beaming, arm wrapped around Jean's waist, her eyes glassy with joy. They looked proud. Like their little girl had come home.

Celeste hated how much she wanted it to be true.

Near the dessert table, Maureen sipped from her glass and muttered to the cousin beside her, "You'd think vanishing for a year would make someone less… adored."

The cousin gave her a tight-lipped smile and turned away.

Maureen rolled her eyes, then looked directly at Celeste. Her smile was syrup-sweet. Fake.

"You look beautiful," she said loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Hard to believe it's really you sometimes."

Celeste flinched. But before she could respond, Leon appeared at her side — like instinct.

His presence was calm. Shielding.

Maureen's eyes flicked to him, bitter. "Protective, aren't you?"

Leon didn't respond. He didn't need to.

Celeste stepped back from the tension. "I need some air."

She slipped onto the balcony, away from the clinking glasses and polite lies. The night air was cool against her skin. She leaned on the railing, closing her eyes.

Behind her, the door opened again.

She didn't turn.

"I'm sorry," Leon said.

Celeste swallowed hard. "For what?"

"For letting them do this. For not stopping it."

"You couldn't have stopped it," she whispered.

"I could have tried."

She opened her eyes and turned to him. "Why does everyone treat me like I'm glass?"

"Because you are," he said.

"No," she said. "I feel like i'm just a stranger wearing someone else's life."

The words hung between them. Heavy. Real.

Leon didn't deny it.

Inside, Rhea watched from the staircase — her nails digging into the wood rail.

She saw Leon walk out to the balcony. Saw the way Celeste looked at him. Saw something passing between them she couldn't name.

And just for a second…

She felt everything falling apart.