Infuriated


    Those distant lights instantly Illuminated my entire world. My heart leaped with joy, and I rushed


    downstairs, fumbling to put the dishes in the microwave. The excitement made my hands tremble.


    Iran to the bathroom to check my appearance and look my best for As. I wanted him to know I’d


    always be there for him. More than anything, I hoped we could celebrate his birthdays together from


    now


    1. on.


    Finally, the door was pushed open. I eagerly said, “You’re back!”


    As seemed disoriented and was surprised to see me. He pulled me into his arms. “Why are you still


    awake?”


    The air smelled strongly of alcohol. I’d never seen him drink this much before.


    I quickly led him to the dining table. When he was seated, I lit the birthday candles and said, “Happy


    birthday! I hope every day will be as wonderful as today! Make a wish!”


    I saw him slowly rise while looking at me. His expression had darkened.


    “What did you say, Chloe?” His drunken eyes turned icy and intense. “What did you just say?”


    As swept everything off the table, making a loud crash in the quiet night. His demeanor was ice–cold,


    and he suddenly felt like a stranger. I never thought I’d be afraid of him.


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    While trembling, I backed away. I didn’t understand what had happened. What had triggered such a


    violent outburst from him?


    “Chloe… Who told you to do this? How could you be so stupid?”


    Those were hisst words as he stomped out, mming the door behind him.


    I was shaken, but a soft voice broke me out of my trance.


    “Mommy?”


    I turned to see Ava, her small figure crouched by the staircase. She looked at me with wide, frightened


    eyes. I rushed to pick her up and carried her to her room.


    Her big, dark eyes blinked sleepily. “Mommy…”


    “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy was just a little careless and knocked the table over. Did I scare you?” |


    forced a smile. “Go back to sleep!”


    Uncle As? She hadn’t forgotten about him and was upset he wasn’t there.


    “Something came up, so he couldn’t make it back. How about this? I’ll buy you a cake tomorrow!” My


    voice choked. “Or, Mommy could bring you to meet Grandma soon?”


    She quickly fell into a half–asleep, half–awake state. “Okay…”


    Trocked her until she fell back into slumber, then I went downstairs. Looking at the mess, I couldn’t hold


    back my grief any longer. My heart ached as I sobbed.


    When my tears ceased, I cleaned up the shattered items on the ground and wiped away the mess.


    I started recalling everything I had said and done since his arrival. It was confusing why his behavior


    suddenly changed. It was truly uneptable to me.


    He was too aggressive andcked any of his previous warmth. His attitude made me apprehensive.


    Was he really As?


    As time passed, my heart felt colder. My tears had dried up, and hope had faded, leaving me feeling


    empty.


    I kept crying as I cleaned, making everything look like it did before, as if nothing had happened.


    Outside, the sky was slowly getting brighte