Chapter 46 Unwanted Birthday
Adonis, Oliver, and Neville went off to place the order.
Fifteen minutes later, they returned, carefully balancing one steaming plate of pasta.
Adonis beamed indulgently. “Can you guess what day it is?”
“I haven’t a clue.” Daisy said, puzzled. “What day?”
“It’s your birthday, Daisy! Did you forget?” Neville cried.
“Goodness! You’re right! It is my birthday,” Daisy exclaimed.
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Oliver stroked her hair with gentle fondness. “Even if you forget, we remember. Adonis ordered this truffle pasta especially for you. Eat them while they’re hot.”
Encircled by her attentive brothers, Daisy flashed a sugary smile. “Thank you, all of you.” She raised her fork, then paused. “Wait. Today is Sadie’s birthday too, isn’t it?”
Sadie and Daisy were twins; naturally, they shared the same birthday.
For years, however, the Francis brothers had celebrated Daisy alone, whether by habit or design, and let Sadie’s day slip from memory.
Daisy’s sudden reminder left the three men momentarily stunned.
Daisy’s eyes shimmered as she slid the plate toward Sadie. “Why not let Sadie have mine? Adonis keeps telling that story about sharing’s caring. I’d like to do the same and offer this to my sister.”
Adonis‘ chest swelled with approval. “Daisy, you’re wonderfully considerate.”
Oliver let out a soft sigh. “Your thoughtfulness makes my heart ache, Daisy.”
Neville waved dismissively. “They’re only pasta. I’ll fetch another plate. Sadie, you should thank Daisy for the favor.”
Sadie remained silent, the pause itself her answer.
Holding a fish–shaped lantern, she stood as still and quiet as ever.
She had no interest in the Francis brothers‘ food.
She had eaten earlier that morning at the Gates Estate.
At the Francis brothers‘ urging, the vendor set another steaming plate of pasta on the low wooden table.
Daisy tilted the plate toward Sadie and spoke with practiced gentleness. “It’s hot. Mine has been cooling for a while, so you can eat mine first, Sadie.”
As she reached to exchange the plates, the three brothers barked a hurried protest. It was an overlapping chorus of “Wait!” that sounded almost rehearsed.
Oliver shielded the fresh bowl like a palace guard and laughed. “They’re just pasta. Blow on them, and the heat will go away. There is no need to swap anything.”
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13:38 Thu, 14 Aug O
Chapter 46 Unwanted Birthday
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+8 Pearls
“Exactly. Every plate is the same,” Neville chimed in, louder than necessary. “Quit fussing over nothing.”
Adonis settled into his seat and cleared his throat. “Tonight is Daisy and Sadie’s birthday, and as the eldest son of the Francis family, I ought to say a few words. I’m delighted that all four of us are together. From this year onward, we will reunite every birthday. We will treat our two sisters without distinction, and we expect both of you to respect your brothers and remain obedient, sensible girls.”
Daisy answered in the softest voice, “I will remember your guidance, Adonis.”
She lifted some pasta with her fork and cried out in delight, “Oh, there’s beef and egg hidden beneath the pasta!”
Sadie stirred her own plate, searching beneath the surface. There was nothing but plain pasta.
The three brothers froze, embarrassment flooding their faces as they shot urgent, pleading looks at Daisy.
Daisy blinked, all innocence, and covered her mouth. “Did I… Did I say something wrong?”
Sadie placed her fork on the table. “So that’s why you guys refused to let Daisy exchange plates, because hers is the only one padded with beef and egg.”
Given the family’s fortunes, affording a little beef and an egg was hardly an issue. Yet, the brothers had chosen to play favorites over something so trivial, drawing a bright line between Daisy and her.
In the past, Sadie might have been wounded by the slight. But she had been granted a second chance at life, and now, the pettiness only struck her as childish and absurd.
Adonis had puffed himself up moments earlier to proclaim, “We will treat both sisters the same.” The hypocrisy tasted bitter enough to scorch the tongue.
Without another word, she rose, took the fish–shaped lantern, and walked away from the stall.
The three brothers stared at one another, speechless.
Daisy’s eyes brimmed with sudden tears. “Did I say the wrong thing?”
Her frail frame and mournful gaze made her look like a wilting blossom; the sight pricked her brothers‘ hearts.
Oliver hurried to soothe her. “It’s all right, Daisy. Don’t cry. None of this is your fault. You’re simply too pure, and Sadie is jealous of you for it.”
“Exactly,” Neville agreed. “We only added beef and egg because your health is delicate. Who knew Sadie. would be so petty and storm off over something so small?”
Adonis, however, frowned. “I think this time Sadie is truly angry with us.“”
“Shall we go and apologize to her?” Daisy suggested in a coy voice.
Behind the shimmer of tears, tiny/sparks of malice danced in Daisy’s almond–shaped eyes. The more fuss Sadie made, the more obedient Daisy appeared by comparison. If Sadie continued to rebel, her standing with the brothers would plummet until their affection turned to contempt. When the day came that their father and brothers rose to prominence, Sadie would rue every act of defiance.
13:38 Thu, 14 Aug yo
