36. The party

BELLATRIX...

I gasped. Shit! I forgot about Grandpa Gregory's birthday, tangled in my own shit. "Uhm, I—I almost forgot about this day; I didn't even prepare a gift for him," I murmured, feeling guilty.

Frankly, Grandpa Gregory is the only person in Neil's family who has never judged me so openly. Although I'm not quite sure about his opinion of me, he was never rude to me; instead, he always showed kind gestures. So, forgetting his special day felt like a wrong move on my part.

"I should go and buy something for him," I said, turning to Victor for his approval; after all, for now, I'll have to use his money.

He slowly stood up, maintaining his elegance. Not owning anything, this man always seemed to own a lot; his elegance and domineering aura give a powerful vibe, unlike the reality of an ordinary man.

"Don't be bothered; I've taken care of that part," he replied with his usual cold tone before putting on his suit and walking away. Suddenly, he paused, turning his head to me. "