Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 53

Isabel shook her head.

There was truly nothing she wanted.

She hadn't really celebrated her birthday in years.

Before her marriage, she was too busy with experiments and caring for her mother, so the day would often just pass by.

Sometimes, even when Dylan reminded her, she didn't have time to celebrate.

After getting married, for the first two years when Oliver was still a toddler, they had celebrated it.

Old Mrs. Blackwell would send gifts over, too.

For the last four years, Oliver was with Adrian. Besides receiving a gift from old Mrs. Blackwell that reminded her it was her birthday, she would spend the day at Halcyon Hills Residence, watching a live feed in a group chat she had secretly joined for Adrian's sake, as he celebrated Selena's birthday.

Every year, it was a lavish, grand affair.

In the past, she would have cried all night, unable to sleep.

But now, she truly felt nothing.

She was numb.

"Then take me to karaoke."

Isabel knew Amanda. If she didn't ask for something, Amanda would worry.

She didn't want them to feel bad for her, not after she had already let them down in the past.

"Deal! We'll go to the most luxurious place!"

...

When they got to the karaoke bar, Isabel received a call from old Mrs. Blackwell.

Perhaps knowing about the divorce, she hadn't sent the gift directly to Halcyon Hills Residence.

Instead, she was asking where Isabel was.

Isabel said, "Grandma, you don't have to send anything. This year, Adrian and I..."

Through the phone, old Mrs. Blackwell's tone was warm and firm. "What's between us has nothing to do with him."

Isabel found it hard to refuse. "Then I'll come pick it up tomorrow."

Old Mrs. Blackwell thought it was an excuse, so Isabel explained, "I'm out with friends, I'll be back late."

"If it's before midnight, you must let me know. A birthday gift should never be a day late."

A wave of warmth spread through Isabel's heart. "Okay, I'll send you the address. You can have someone deliver it."

Click.

The lights went out.

The private room was plunged into darkness.

While Isabel was looking at her gift, Dylan and Amanda had both stepped out to take calls.

Now, they returned, pushing a cake and singing "Happy Birthday."

She put the sweater away and began to clap along.

"Make a wish!" Amanda pushed the cake in front of her.

For a moment, Isabel didn't know what to wish for.

In the past, even on the birthdays she hadn't celebrated, her wishes had always been about Adrian.

This time, she wished for a world without suffering, without illness, and without war.

After making her wish, she blew out the candles.

Dylan turned the lights back on, walked over, and playfully smeared a dab of frosting from his finger onto Isabel's cheek.