Chapter 9
My mom spent all morning in the kitchen. Dishes spread across the table. She had been waiting for Patrick and me.
At the table, Patrick talked and acted decently. He was charming even when he was eating.
He always had the right thing to reply with when my mom and Ian said something.
It was like they had been friends for ages.
This was what I had always wanted. But with Antonio, it never happened.
I had always dreamed of going home with my beloved one, having dinner with my family, and everyone being happy.
Now, Patrick sat there. It felt like it was where he belonged.
After lunch, Ian wanted to cut the cake.
I was confused. He never liked sweet foods.
Why was he so anxious today?
My mom whispered to me, “Patrick made the cake himself. He knows you have a sweet tooth. He learned it specially for you.”
Today was full of surprises. Still, my heart raced with excitement.
I stole a glance at Patrick, closed my eyes, and made a wish.
In the past five years, I celebrated my birthday with Antonio.
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He didn’t like cakes. On my birthday, he would take me out for dinner and buy a tiny cake,
Then, I would light a candle and wish Antonio and I would grow old. together.
He would laugh at me for making a wish to a cake, saying I might as well. make a wish to him.
He always knew what I was wishing for. But he never honestly told me he didn’t love me, and my wish remained a wish.
This was the first birthday I had after I left Antonio. It was grand and special.
When I blew the candle out, Patrick whispered to me, “Grace, each of your wishes will come true.”
I looked up. Our eyes met. I nodded solemnly.
Yes. My wish would come true this time.
When we cut the cake, Ian’s phone rang urgently.
After he answered it, he looked confused and dragged me aside.
“Grace is home with us. We’re celebrating her birthday.”
It was quiet for a moment at the other end of the line. Then, Ian handed his phone to me.
“Didn’t you hand over your work to your colleague? Why is Antonio looking for you everywhere today?”
I looked at Patrick, who was near us, and decided to tell the truth.
“Ignore him. I broke up with him. I guess he didn’t take it well.”
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Ian grasped the phone tighter. His eyes dripped with rage.
He never liked my ex–boyfriend. Now that he knew my scumbag ex- boyfriend was his friend, he blew a fuse.
He yelled into his phone, “I’ve always seen you as my buddy, but you treated me like a fool! Get lost!”
After hanging up, lan blacklisted Antonio.
He was so furious I did everything to mollify him but still couldn’t.
If he could, he’d board a plane, find Antonio, and beat him into a pulp.
Antonio was a proud man. I had thought he’d stay out of our lives after he was blacklisted.
After I picked out my wedding dress, I went home with Patrick. Then, Antonio, carrying a birthday cake, blocked our way.
He looked at Patrick coolly. Before I knew it, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms.
“Grace, are you done? You have a boyfriend. What are you doing with another man? Are you trying to vex me?”
I tried to get free of him, but he held me tighter.
It hurt. I screamed, “Antonio, let me go! Show some respect!”
Patrick punched him in the face.
“She said let go. Didn’t you hear her?”
Although punched, Antonio wasn’t giving up.
“This is between her and me. None of your damn business! Get the hell
