Charlotte’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.
The early autumn wind blew in, lifting their hair. They stood facing each other, like two white sycamores.
Callie paused for a moment, then walked past her. As they brushed shoulders, Charlotte caught the scent of sandalwood on her. She had smelled this scent on Nelson before.
“Maeve, what are you standing there for? Where’s Nelson?” Sienna’s voice came from behind, breaking the silence.
Ahmad and Sienna stood at the end of the corridor, looking at her gently.
Charlotte snapped back to reality and walked forward. “He should be here soon.”
Callie continued walking without looking back.
Back at the main hall, small groups of people gradually gathered, still engaging in polite conversation.
Jamir broke away from his socializing and walked over to Callie. “Where did you go?”
“To the restroom.”
As she answered, she adjusted her hair to cover the marks Nelson had left on her neck, discreetly scanning the room. Jaquan was still there, but Marilyn was gone.
A plan was formed in her mind.
“Here he comes-” A sudden commotion arose around them.
Callie and Jamir looked towards the stage. Ahmad, leaning on a cane, stepped up with a loving smile. Speaking into the microphone, he said, “Thank you all for coming today to celebrate Maevelyn’s birthday. As you all know, I cherish her dearly. Your presence here means a lot to me. Thank you!”
His words revealed his identity and showed his deep affection, giving due respect to everyone present. It was clear he truly doted on her.
Applause erupted from the audience.
Callie clapped weakly, her expression indifferent.
“Today is Maeve’s birthday. She is 24 years old. Since she went missing, we haven’t celebrated her birthday for many years. This year, we can finally fulfill that wish,” Ahmad said, his eyes moistening. “From now on, every year, I will throw her a grand birthday celebration!”
“No more regrets!”
Another round of applause followed.
Jamir scoffed lightly. “Quite the spectacle.”
Callie couldn’t describe how she felt. She just felt numb, like there was a hole inside her where the wind howled through.
After Ahmad finished speaking, Charlotte, who had been waiting for a long time, squeezed out a few tears and ran up to hug Ahmad. “Thank you, Dad.”
Ahmad patted her head. The staff turned off the lights in the venue, and in the darkness, someone pushed a cake forward while a melodious birthday song began to play.
The person pushing the cake was Nelson.
He wore the same white shirt and black pants, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular arms.
The seven or eight-tiered cake was lit with candles, creating a warm atmosphere.
The crowd sang in unison: “Happy Birthday to You-”
Callie didn’t sing along. In the darkness, she clapped numbly, her eyes cold.
An influential fiance, a well-off family, kind and gentle parents, so many guests willing to celebrate her, and the status of a young lady.
How enviable and dreamy it all was.
Charlotte had it all.
The hardships of the past twenty-some years could be ignored.
Was she happy?
Charlotte looked at the cake with surprise and obvious happiness.
She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes in front of the candles, made a wish for quite some time, and then blew out the candles.
The lights came back on.
“What are you thinking about?” Jamir reached out to shield her eyes from the light.