Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.
Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.
“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”
Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.
“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”
Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.
Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.
So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?
Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.
With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light
The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.
Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.
Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.
It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’
Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’
‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’
‘Thank you.
‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!
Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’
At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.
Downstairs, Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide eyes.
“Your cake is so pretty, miss!”
After making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the children.
“Hold on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we do?”
Upon hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy Birthday!”
“We must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song!”
“Miss Rachel must close her eyes and make a wish!”
“Miss Rachel must blow out the candles!”
Shyly, Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such lengths.
Nonetheless, he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its listeners.
“Make a wish.”
There’s no need.
“You must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside Rachel.
When she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling eyes.
Immediately, Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the children.
“Remember to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing nearby.
Carrying their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was heartwarming indeed.
Underneath the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you, Julian.
“You don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for the child”
I know. Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and lifeless.
Somewhat regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have a cold.”
Nodding, she turned and headed toward the elevator.
Soon, she was inside her apartment and about to close the door.
With a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from outside.
Jerking her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it. Suddenly, she shivered.
Wasn’t he out on business? she thought.
Without explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the house
coldly. “I see you’ve been getting along fine without me.”
Paling, she took two steps back. Why are you here?
Glaring at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch. His
eyes were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would you?”
Step by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by inch.
Meanwhile, Rachel had no idea what she did wrong.
When he caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to the
couch, whereupon he threw her down and caused her to let out a muffled groan as he pressed down on top of
her.
When she realized what was about to happen, she started struggling.
Yet, he lay more heavily atop her and asked coldly in her ear, “You never wanted this child from the very beginning, did you?”
She shivered in response.
Does that mean he followed me and witnessed my conversation during the stroll with Julian?
At this moment, there was a monstrous fire raging in Justin’s eyes. “I told you to take care of yourself while you waited for me, and this is how you did so?”
After all, he had spent seven or eight hours rushing back from Brookville partly to spend her birthday with her, and partly to ease their tense relationship and let her know that they still had a long future ahead of them.
Never did Justin expect that he would see her and Julian surrounded by a group of singing children the moment he entered the neighborhood.
The scene had looked so heartwarming that it practically hurt his eyes.
Yet, if he thought that scene hurt his eyes, her later conversation with Julian about the child hurt his heart even more.
Looks like she never intended to keep the child!
At this thought, Justin slowly tightened his grip around her.
Rachel’s shoulders were crushed and as a shattering ache pulsed through them, the features of her face screwed up in pain.
Let go of me! Let go of me!
She struggled desperately, but that only brought more force upon her.
A voice from hell asked above her head, “Were you thrilled when those people broke into the villa and caused your miscarriage?”
Horrified, Rachel gaped at him, unable to believe what she just heard.
Yet, he was glowering at her with rage. “I suppose you think you will no longer need to be associated with me now that the child is gone. I’ll have you know, Rachel Hudson, that that will never happen!”
Suddenly, there was a loud tearing sound and Rachel screamed as the cloth on her shoulder fell away.
Catching hold of her struggling hands and pinning them above her head, Justin said coldly, “I told you we would have another child!”
Ashen-faced, she stared up at him.
No… No!
