Dahlia's POV
"Absolutely not!" The words flew from my lips before I could stop them, my voice sharp with defiance. I refused to acknowledge the tremor of anxiety that had begun to coil in my stomach. But the moment I ended the call, my heart hammered against my ribs with such force I thought it might burst from my chest. The truth was undeniable - I was terrified.
What exactly was I so afraid of? The question tormented me. Was Soren planning some grand revelation about who I really was to him? And if that wasn't his intention, then what possible reason could he have for extending an invitation to his birthday celebration?
Frustration surged through me like a tide, washing away the last remnants of sleepiness that had been clinging to my mind.
