Chapter 6: The Birthday That Wasn’t

Before returning to the city, I made a trip to St. Jude’s Church.

There was a former senator’s widow there, who had been vegetarian all her life, praying for her son.

She hadn’t liked me before, and when she punished me to kneel, I lost the child I had been carrying for eight months.

But now, after I told her the truth about her son’s death, she couldn’t wait to get on my side, stirring up trouble with me, ready to storm back to the city.

The deal struck, I returned to the Montgomery estate on the day the daughter came of age.

In the midst of universal joy, everyone surrounded the fake daughter, Aubrey, rare treasures and jewelry piled up before her like so much worthless trinkets.

The air inside glittered with perfume and the sugary tang of store-bought cake. Fairy lights blinked in the windows, trying too hard to look like magic. The party sparkled with strings of fairy lights and music piped in from a Bluetooth speaker, the kind of suburban extravagance where everyone’s overdressed and nobody’s truly happy.

Everyone congratulated her on her coming of age, offering advice and honeyed words.

Amidst the flowers and glory, life was triumphant.

No one remembered that today was also Natalie’s birthday.

Mrs. Montgomery pulled the charming fake daughter into her arms, over ten big boxes stacked neatly before her.

"These are from your grandmother’s will, which I only got after giving birth to your brother. I won’t give them to anyone else, only to my Aubrey."

Aubrey pouted, leaping into her mother’s arms, a naive yet cunning smile on her lips:

"I knew mother loves me most. Aubrey loves mother so much."

The Montgomerys’ heir, Derek, approached gently, presenting his treasure:

"Mother’s heirloom, I don’t even have it, but this five-colored agate—I got it from Senator Carter’s son. It means something special."

Senator Carter’s son?

Ranked third, it’s him all right.

Heh, an unexpected delight.

Mr. Montgomery on the high seat stroked his beard proudly:

"Dad’s gift is no worse. I asked the governor—once you come of age, he’ll arrange a marriage between you and Senator Carter’s son, so my little pearl can have her wish."

Aubrey’s eyes lit up instantly.

But she didn’t forget to stamp her foot at Mr. Montgomery:

"Dad, you’re embarrassing me, saying this in public. I won’t talk to you anymore."

Everyone burst out laughing, their words dripping with honey.

Only my body still carried the pain Natalie felt at the slightest touch.

A cold wind blew, chilling to the bone, making people shiver involuntarily.

The room’s warmth felt staged, all those smiles stretched a little too thin. Someone popped a cork, and the echo was sharp enough to cut the silence between fake affection and real pain.

"You still know how to be shy? Aren’t you shameless already?"

"Derek, you’re so bad—mom, tell him."

"All right, all right, mom will scold him. Derek, don’t bully your sister. Tomorrow you must take her shopping, and pay for everything."

Derek groaned, “Come on, Mom, she already ate through my bank account this month.”

Aubrey stuck out her tongue, making a face:

"Serves you right, ooga booga."

"What about me?"

Amid laughter, I just spoiled the mood and walked out.

"What should you give me?"

No one remembered that today was also Natalie’s birthday.

But I did. And I was done letting them forget.