Chapter 14
The homestay had just one room left. The owner welcomed Natalie and Martin warmly as they arrived.
Entering the room, Martin felt uneasy. The room was shabby, a far cry from the luxury he was used to having
Seeing his disdain. Natalie borrowed a clean set of sheets and blankets, quickly changing the linens herself as Martin watched from the side. Martin nude no move to help, not out of unwillingness but simply because he had never had to do such chores.
The liners were quickly changed without a single complaint. Natalie was used to taking care of others. Whether it was Samuel or her younger brother, Henry Lewis, she cared for them meticulously.
After tidying up the room, the homestay owner brought them two boxes of macaroni and cheese and sausages.
Martin grimaced as he saw the humble food, his appetite vanishing.
He collapsed onto the couch and took out his phone. Then, an email notification suddenly made his hand tremble. It was a birthday greeting from Adharia from a familiar name–Waverly.
bling,
Sering Martin in a daze, Natalie asked, “What are you looking att” She walked over with two plates of macaroni and cheese.
Martin quickly closed the email. “Just a friend wishing me happy birthday,”
It’s your birthday?” Natalie’s eyes widened in surprise.
She glanced down at the macaroni and cheese in her hands, feeling bad for serving such a simple meal on his special day.
Wordlessly, she set the plates down and left the room when an idea struck her
When the storm began, the sea winds howled. Lightning flashed, and thunders numbled across the sky. Rain hammered relentlessly windowpanes, making everyone shudder in fear
In a sudden flash, lightning struck the electrical grid, plunging the village into pinch–black darkness.
Martin, who had fallen asleep on the couch, jerked awake.
“Natalie?” he called out a few times, but only silence answered. He got up and looked for her.
y against the
Just then, the door creaked open. Natalie entered with a birthday cake. In the warm glow of the candles, Natalie appeared angelic as she approached Martin
“Happy birthday to you“Natalie softly hummed.
Martin stood rooted to the ground.
It had been 20 long years since he last celebrated his birthday. Apart from a few close friends, no one even knew his birthday, as he never mentioned it to anyone.
“That was nice, Natalie. I haven’t celebrated my birthday since my parents passed away,” Martin replied coldly, suppressing the swell of emotions within.
Natalie halted, seeing the look of profound pain on Martin’s face.
“I know how deeply it hurts to lose your parents,” Natalie said. “But today’s the day they brought you into this world. Remember when they traveled a long way to celebrate your birthday! They loved you a lot. So, the best way to honor their memory is by taking care of yourself now and bring happy.”
“You don’t know what I’m going through,” Martin shot back.
Perhaps not entirely, she admitted. When I learned I was adopted by the Lewis family, it shattered me. Even with my parents still alive, I’ve never felt their love for me. I’ve never had that bond before, and I doubt I ever will in the future, Natalie said.
Martin softened a little at her words. “Ever thought of looking for them?” he asked,
Natalie shook her head. “Where would even start in this big world? And 1 doubt finding them would fix anything.”
“Do you resent them? Martin asked.
“I believe every parent laves their kid deep down. So, all I can do is live my life well. That’s their hope for bringing me into this world, isn’t it?”
Natalie said.
Natalie placed the cake on the table, “I don’t even know my own birthday” she confessed. “Never really celebrated my birthday. How about we celebrate together, today! I made this myself. Come have a taste.”
Chapter 14
Martin walked over and looked at the birthday cake. It might not have looked like a masterpiece, but he could sense the sincerity infused within. Something about it warmed his heart.
“Let’s blow out the candles and make a wish,” Natalie suggested, closing her eyes.
The room fell oddly quiet, as if in this moment, only the two of them existed in the whole world.
Martin gazed at Natalie’s face under the candlelight. Slowly, he closed his eyes too.
Natalie made three wishes, then opened her eyes to find Martin staring blankly at her.
“Have
you made your wish?” she asked.
Martin nodded.
“How about we swap wishes! I’ll write mine on my phone and send it to you, and you can send me yours.” Natalie proposed. Then, she sent her three wishes.
However, Martin did nothing.
“Why aren’t you sending yours over!” Natalie asked.
“My wish could never come true, Martin s
said. His only wish now was for his grandfather to live a long, healthy life.
“Sometimes, wishes aren’t meant to be fulfilled, Natalie said.
Martin looked up in surprise, meeting Natalie’s eyes that sparkled like gems in the candlelight.
“Wishes give us the courage to carry on, to become brave and strong,” she continued. “Even if they don’t come true in the end, we won’t have regrets when we did our best. Humans are quite insignificant in this world, and there is little we can control. So, don’t be too hard on yourself; just do the best
you can.
Martin was taken aback that someone so young could possess such wisdom. Now, he understood a bit better why his grandfather had chosen Natalie, out of all the candidates, to be his wife. She was perhaps not the most outstanding, but her life experiences made her uniquely suited for Martin
Natalie handed Martin the knife and asked him to cut the cake. However, instead of going to the table, he walked behind her and took her hand in his. “Let’s cut it together”
Natalie’s heart raced at his touch. With trembling hands, they had barely managed to cut a slice of cake.
Natalie tried to steady her breathing and focus on the cake, but Martin’s heartbeat thrummned against her back like a drum, making it impossible to
concentrate.
The simple act of cutting a cake felt like it stretched on forever, Natalie’s palm growing sweaty in Martin’s grasp.
This was the first time she had ever tasted a birthday cake, one that she had baked herself.
All her sneak peeks at the cake shop had paid off. She’d always stop and watch the bakers do their thing, and as luck would have it, the homestay owner’s daughter sold cakes on TikTok and had all the ingredients and tools.
The cake was delicious. Martin was not one for sweets, usually stopping after a small piece or two. But he devoured the macaroni and cheese.
Outside, the storm raged on.
