A/N: This is Part Two of Chapter Twenty-Eight! Enjoy! DOUBLE UPDATE

𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The car ride to the venue was smooth, though Madelyn spent most of it throwing suspicious glances my way. She sat in the passenger seat, her arms crossed, tapping her fingers on her thigh as she eyed me.

"You're being cryptic, and I don't trust it," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"Cryptic?" I feigned innocence, shooting her a quick grin. "I'm being romantic. Big difference."

"Romantic is you telling me where we're going," she teased. "Or at least why I couldn't pick the place."

I smirked, keeping my gaze on the road. "It's a surprise, babe. Trust me—you'll love it."

She sighed dramatically but didn't push further, instead turning her attention to the playlist I'd carefully put together for the ride.

When we pulled up to the private event space, her brows furrowed in confusion. "This doesn't look like a restaurant," she said, glancing at me as I parked.

"That's because it's not just a restaurant," I replied, hopping out of the car. I quickly rounded to her side, opening her door and offering my hand to help her out.

Madelyn took my hand, her confusion growing as she glanced at the building. "Y/n... what is this?"

"You'll see," I said with a wink, guiding her toward the entrance.

The second the doors opened, the sound of cheering and the shout of "Surprise!" echoed through the room.

Madelyn froze, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. The space was filled with golden lights, floral arrangements in her favorite shades of cream and blush, and a massive "Happy Birthday Madelyn" banner hanging above a crowd of familiar faces.

"Oh my god," she whispered, her voice barely audible as her hand flew to her mouth.

"Happy birthday, babe," I said softly, sliding an arm around her waist.

Her gaze darted across the room, and her breath hitched as she recognized everyone. Her parents stood near the front, smiling proudly.

Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey, and Carlacia Grant were the first to rush forward, grinning from ear to ear.

"Madelyn!" Madison squealed, throwing her arms around her. "Happy birthday!"

"Look who finally made it!" Drew teased, pulling her into a side hug.

"You didn't tell us you had plans for world domination!" Carlacia joked, her eyes lighting up as she took in the decor. "This is insane, Madelyn."

Jonathan grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "You really went all out, huh?"

I shrugged, slipping my hand back onto Madelyn's lower back. "She deserves it."

Madelyn's eyes shone with unshed tears as she hugged her castmates, her voice catching as she said, "I can't believe this. You guys... thank you for coming."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Madison said, giving her another squeeze before turning to me. "And you? You're officially the gold standard for birthday surprises."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Just trying to keep her happy."

"You're doing a damn good job," Drew said, smirking.

Madelyn turned, looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite describe—somewhere between awe and pure adoration. "Y/n, this is... it's perfect. You're perfect."

Before I could respond, my attention snagged on the entrance as someone new walked in. Scarlett.

She looked poised as ever, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on us. I felt a strange flutter in my chest, but I quickly pushed it aside.

Scarlett gave me a small, tentative smile. I returned it, soft and polite, but nothing more.

Then, without missing a beat, I turned back to Madelyn, brushing my fingers lightly against her lower back as I leaned in. "C'mon, babe. Let's keep moving—there's more people to greet."

Madelyn smiled, though her eyes briefly flicked toward Scarlett. She shifted closer to me, her arm looping through mine in a casual but deliberate gesture. "Lead the way," she said softly, her voice warm.

We made our way toward the center of the room, stopping every few feet to greet someone new. My family was clustered by the bar, and Chris was already laughing at something Alba said while Scott waved me over with a drink in hand.

Dylan and Anna stood nearby, clearly up to no good as usual, and Florence was chatting animatedly with Lizzie and Madison.

Madelyn's parents approached us next, her mom pulling her into a tight hug while her dad clapped me on the back. "This is incredible," her dad said, his voice filled with approval. "You really outdid yourself, Y/n."

"Couldn't have done it without some help," I admitted, smiling at Madelyn's mom. "But I'm glad you think so."

Madelyn turned to me, her hand squeezing my arm. "You didn't just outdo yourself—you completely blew me away."

Her voice was soft, almost shy, and I couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her forehead. "That's the goal."

. . .

We'd gathered in a cozy corner of the party where Madelyn's parents, her cousins, and a few of her OBX castmates were chatting.

Her mom was laughing at something Scott had said, while her dad listened intently to Chris telling a story about an embarrassing moment on set.

Madelyn was by my side, her hand on my arm as she spoke to Carlacia about a hiking trip they'd taken together. I couldn't help but smile—she looked radiant, completely in her element surrounded by the people she loved.

Dylan strolled over, carrying two drinks and looking far too pleased with himself. "Alright, who's ready for me to liven this up?" he asked, setting the drinks down and dramatically cracking his knuckles.

"Liven it up how?" Scott asked, raising a skeptical brow.

"By reminding everyone that I'm the funniest person here," Dylan said, smirking.

Madelyn rolled her eyes playfully. "You've got tough competition, O'Brien. Y/n's been killing it tonight."

"Don't gas her up, Maddie," Dylan said, pointing at me. "She's already unbearable."

"Unbearably awesome," I shot back, smirking as I took a sip of my drink.

Dylan leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I'm just saying, the real MVP move would've been a fireworks display or, I don't know, a live band."

"I'm not trying to steal the show," I replied. "Besides, I've already got plans to make tonight unforgettable."

"Oh?" Dylan said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Care to share with the class?"

I couldn't help myself.

I leaned in with a mischievous grin and said, loud enough for everyone in the group to hear, "Let's just say Madelyn and I are going to be a little busy when we get home."

The reaction was instant. Dylan burst out laughing, nearly dropping his drink as he held out his hand for a dap. "No way you just said that in front of her parents!"

I slapped his hand with a smirk. "I absolutely did."

Madelyn gasped, her face turning a deep, fiery red. "Babe!" she squeaked, smacking my arm.

Her mom's eyes went wide, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips. Her dad cleared his throat, clearly trying to decide whether to laugh or pretend he didn't hear.

Madelyn's cousins looked like they were trying not to die of second-hand embarrassment, while Carlacia covered her mouth, snickering.

"Y/n!" Madelyn hissed, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my god, my parents are right here!"

"Relax," I said, laughing as I slipped an arm around her waist. "They know we're grown-ups."

"Knowing and hearing are two very different things," her dad said gruffly, though there was an amused glint in his eye.

"I'm so sorry," Madelyn said quickly, looking between her parents and me. "She doesn't know how to filter."

Her mom laughed, waving a hand. "It's fine, sweetie. I'd be worried if your partner didn't adore you."

"Exactly," I said, kissing Madelyn's temple. "I just adore you a lot."

Madelyn groaned, her face still buried in her hands. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," I teased, earning another swat to the arm.

Chris walked up at that moment, shaking his head with a chuckle. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?"

"Never," I said proudly.

"Y/n, you're going to give Madelyn's dad a heart attack," Scott added, clearly enjoying himself.

"Y'all are making it worse!" Madelyn said, her voice muffled as she peeked out from behind her hands.

I turned to her with an exaggerated look of innocence. "Babe, I'm just being honest about how much I appreciate you. You can't fault me for that."

She sighed dramatically, though the corner of her lips twitched upward. "I hate you so much right now."

"No, you don't," I said, grinning.

Her mom smiled warmly, patting her hand. "Madelyn, honey, it's fine. It's nice to see someone who's so crazy about you."

Madelyn shot me a pointed look but leaned into my side, clearly giving up on being mad. "You're lucky I love you."

"Luckiest person in the world," I said with a wink.

. . .

A while later, Madelyn and I made our way across the room, stopping to greet people along the way. Eventually, we approached Florence, Lizzie, and Scarlett, who were chatting by the corner of the room.

"Florence! Lizzie!" Madelyn said warmly, giving them both hugs.

"Madelyn, you look stunning!" Florence gushed, holding her at arm's length to admire her dress. "Y/n did good."

"She really did," Madelyn agreed, flashing me a soft smile before turning to Scarlett. "Scarlett, thank you so much for coming. It means a lot."

Scarlett smiled politely, her eyes briefly flicking to me before returning to Madelyn. "Of course. Happy birthday."

I nodded at Scarlett, keeping my expression neutral. "Thanks for making it out."

Scarlett hesitated, her gaze lingering on me for a beat too long. "Wouldn't miss it."

Madelyn's arm slid through mine, her grip tightening slightly. "Well, enjoy the party," she said, her voice warm but firm. "There's plenty of food and drinks."

"Yeah, make sure to try the sliders," I added, flashing a grin.

Florence chuckled, clearly sensing the tension. "Noted. You two go enjoy yourselves—we'll catch up later."

Madelyn nodded, pulling me gently away from the group. As we walked off, I felt her thumb stroke the inside of my arm, a small but deliberate gesture.

"You okay?" I asked softly, leaning down to speak close to her ear.

She nodded, smiling up at me. "Perfect. Just needed to make sure Scarlett knows where we stand."

. . .

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The party was beautiful—warm lights, laughter, and a radiant Madelyn glowing in the center of it all. But my focus wasn't on her or the festivities.

My eyes found Y/n, as they always did, standing near the bar, laughing with Dylan and a few others. Her smile was wide and carefree, her hand casually resting on Madelyn's lower back.

It had been weeks—months, really—since I'd tried to push my feelings for Y/n down, but being here, seeing her so in love with someone else, made it impossible to ignore.

When I saw her step away from the crowd, heading toward a quieter corner of the room, I hesitated for only a moment before following her.

"Y/n," I called softly, my voice hesitant as I approached her.

She turned, surprise flashing across her face before her expression hardened. "Scarlett."

"Hey," I said, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my dress. The casual grace I usually prided myself on felt like it had evaporated. "Can we talk?"

She sighed, glancing toward the crowd before looking back at me. "Now's not really the time."

"I know," I said quickly. "I know it's not, but I just... I need to say this. Please."

Y/n's jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought she might walk away. But then she nodded once, crossing her arms. "Fine. Say what you need to say."

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I owe you an apology. For everything—for the way I treated you, for pushing you away, and for not being honest about how I felt."

Her expression didn't soften, but she didn't interrupt, so I kept going.

"I was scared, Y/n. Of what it meant, of what it could cost me. And I didn't handle it well. But seeing you now, seeing how happy you are... I can't pretend it doesn't hurt."

Y/n exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Scarlett, you don't get to do this. Not here. Not now."

"I know," I said quickly. "I know it's Madelyn's night, and I don't want to ruin it. But I needed to tell you—I can't stop thinking about you. About what we had."

"What we had?" Y/n repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You mean the mess you made when you couldn't figure out what you wanted?"

"That's not fair," I said, my voice trembling. "You know it wasn't that simple."

"No, Scarlett, it was," Y/n said, her tone sharp but quiet. "You had your chance. I waited, and I gave you so many opportunities to figure it out. And you didn't. Now, I'm with someone who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to show it."

Her words cut deeper than I expected, but I forced myself to hold her gaze. "Do you still feel anything for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you still feel anything for me?" I asked again, my voice trembling slightly as the words hung heavy between us.

Y/n's jaw tightened, and she looked away, exhaling slowly, her eyes looked as though they were slowly filling with tears.

"Scarlett, that doesn't matter. Even if I did—and I'm not saying I do—it's too late. I'm with Madelyn now, and I'm not going to disrespect her by entertaining this conversation at her party."

Her words hit me harder than I expected, but I wasn't ready to give up yet. I hesitated for a moment before reaching out, my fingers lightly brushing her forearm.

"Y/n," I said softly, trying to meet her gaze. "I know I screwed up, but I'm trying to be honest now. That has to count for something."

Her eyes flicked down to where my hand rested against her skin, and for a moment, I thought she might soften. But before she could say anything, I felt a presence behind me.

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I was trying to focus on Madison's story about Jonathan's embarrassing slip-up on set, but my attention kept drifting across the room to where Y/n stood with Scarlett.

At first, I tried to shake it off. They were probably just catching up, and Y/n had been by my side all night. But then I saw Scarlett reach out, her hand brushing against Y/n's arm.

Something in my chest twisted.

"Hey," Madison said, nudging me gently. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I replied quickly, forcing a smile. But my eyes stayed locked on them, my chest tightening as I watched Y/n glance down at Scarlett's hand.

I didn't realize I'd stopped breathing until Alba's gaze caught mine from across the room. She raised an eyebrow, her silent question clear: Do you need me to step in?

I shook my head slightly and held up a hand, signaling that I had it under control. Alba hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line, but she nodded and stayed put.

Next to her, Dylan noticed the exchange and leaned toward Anna, whispering something that made her roll her eyes.

But even she glanced toward Y/n and Scarlett, her expression shifting to concern. Dylan raised his drink slightly, muttering something to Alba, who gave him a sharp look.

The moment Scarlett's hand lingered on Y/n's arm for just a second too long, I felt something snap inside me.

"I'll be right back," I murmured to Madison, handing her my drink.

"Maddie—" she started, but I was already moving.

As I crossed the room, my heels clicking against the floor, I felt a wave of emotions—annoyance, protectiveness, and maybe even a hint of jealousy.

Scarlett might have had history with Y/n, but I wasn't about to let her think she could blur the lines now.

When I got close enough to hear their conversation, Y/n's voice reached me first.

"Scarlett, that doesn't matter. Even if I did—and I'm not saying I do—it's too late. I'm with Madelyn now, and I'm not going to disrespect her by entertaining this conversation at her party."

Relief flooded through me, and I almost smiled. Y/n's voice was steady, leaving no room for doubt.

Scarlett must have sensed me approaching because she turned slightly, her expression faltering as her gaze met mine.

I stepped forward, sliding my arm around Y/n's waist and keeping my eyes on Scarlett. "Hey," I said softly, my tone calm but firm. "Everything okay?"

Y/n immediately relaxed against me, her hand resting on my hip as she nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine."

Scarlett glanced at Y/n one last time before looking back at me. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but she stayed silent.

"Good," I said, my tone still even but with just enough edge to make my point. "Because I'd hate for anything to ruin tonight."

Y/n pressed a quick kiss to my temple, her touch grounding me. "Nothing's going to ruin tonight, babe."

Scarlett lingered for a moment longer, her shoulders slumping slightly before she nodded and stepped back, giving us space.

As I led Y/n away, I felt a sense of pride and relief. But even as the tension faded, I couldn't ignore the way Scarlett had looked at Y/n—or the flicker of something unresolved in her eyes.

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The party was going smoothly—Y/n had absolutely crushed it. Madelyn looked happy, glowing as she worked the room with Y/n by her side.

Watching them together made me proud as her older brother. Y/n deserved this kind of love and joy.

But as I stood by the bar, sipping my drink, something tugged at my attention. Y/n was across the room, talking to Scarlett in a quiet corner.

At first, I thought nothing of it. People caught up at parties all the time. But the more I watched, the less casual it seemed.

Scarlett's body language was tense, her shoulders slightly hunched, and her hand suddenly reached out to touch Y/n's arm.

I frowned, my protective instincts kicking in.

"What's got you so deep in thought?" Alba asked as she appeared beside me, her drink in hand.

I nodded toward the corner. "Y/n and Scarlett. That doesn't look like a normal conversation."

Alba's eyes followed mine, and I caught the flicker of recognition in her expression. She covered it quickly, taking a long sip of her drink. "You're overthinking. Scarlett's dramatic. You know how she is."

"Maybe," I said, but my gut told me otherwise. Scarlett rarely looked vulnerable, and Y/n rarely looked that guarded.

Alba gave me a sidelong glance, her voice light but deliberate. "It's nothing, Chris. Seriously. Let it go."

Before I could respond, my attention shifted to Madelyn. She was handing her drink to Madison, her eyes locked on Y/n and Scarlett as she crossed the room.

Alba let out a quiet sigh. "Maddie's got it under control," she muttered.

"Got what under control?" I pressed, my frown deepening.

"Chris," she said with a small smile, her tone more amused than concerned. "Trust me—it's nothing. Don't overthink it."

But even as she said it, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than Alba was letting on.

Next to us, Dylan and Anna joined the conversation. Dylan muttered something about Maddie "laying the smackdown," earning him a sharp look from Alba.

Anna nudged Dylan with her elbow, whispering, "Shut up, Dylan."

But her gaze lingered on the corner, her expression thoughtful. Alba pressed a