Chapter 0264


    I’ll have to be at my best on Saturday, to cook like I’ve never cooked before. I’ll need to n a menu


    that showcases not just my skills but my spirit. And I’ll have to pour every ounce of passion I have onto


    those tes.


    Saturday. The judges. My kitchen.


    I can do this. I hope.


    …


    As I step into my kitchen—my home kitchen, rather than my restaurant kitchen—I stop for a moment,


    taking in the mess.


    Takeout food containers are stacked by the trash can. The counter, rather than being cluttered with


    cooking utensils, is covered in junk mail and empty drink sses. The sink is full, and yet I haven’t


    cooked a goddamn thing since I lost the cook-off.


    Two weeks.


    It’s been two whole weeks since I’ve cooked anything moreplex than toast in here. And now, with


    the chance to cater the Alpha party, my mind is foggier than ever. I can’t evene up with a menu,


    something that would have popped into my mind in an instant two weeks ago.


    I need to research. That’s what I’ll do: I’ll research. I’m definitely not procrastinating, right?


    Dragging my feet to the counter, I pull open myptop. Maybe the inte will inspire some brilliance.


    The keys feel cool under my fingers, and the screen blinks to life, brightening the dimly lit room.


    Clicking through recipes, my eyes ze over. Fusion? Too risky. ssic French? Too expected.


    Every idea feels either too bold or too safe, and there’s no in-between. I tap my finger on the counter,


    growing impatient by the second.


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    And then, out of nowhere, a memory notification pops up. A photo from a time when everything


    seemed brighter and simpler. My eyes widen as I erge it, and my hand instinctively moves over my


    mouth.


    There’s Karl and me, standing amidst the glitter and glow of a Alpha party from four years ago. He


    looks as handsome as ever in his ck tuxedo, his smile as wide as it possibly can be, and there I am,


    leaning into him, my dark green dress elegant and hugging my curves in all the right ces.


    I can almost hear theughter, the clinking of sses, the soft swell of music. That night, I was so


    proud to be on his arm, so naive to how it would all unravel.


    That was before…


    The urge to call him is strong, but I’m stronger. I made a promise to myself two weeks ago: that I would


    put the past behind me once and for all. Behind us. Not just for me, but for him, too. New chаpter


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    I won’t drag him into my struggles again, not when he’s got his status as Alpha to worry about, and


    especially not when he’s mad at me.


    Deciding to leave the kitchen a mess for now, I flick the light off and retreat. There will be no cooking


    tonight, even though Saturday is only four days away.