Go Mad with Regret

Today was the third day—the day I would leave.

I left the divorce agreement I had prepared on the bedside table and handed Alfred a booklet detailing Jasper's daily routine.

While I was packing my luggage, I suddenly received a text message from Felix: [Prepare a cake and come to Maple Restaurant.]

I was overjoyed, thinking, 'Does he remember that today is my birthday?'

I finished making the cake and rushed to Maple Restaurant, only to discover that Maeve was also there with Felix and Jasper. It was unclear whether it was intentional or coincidental, but they were wearing clothes of the same color, which made them look like a family.

Jasper saw me and rushed over to grab the cake. "Mom, today is Ms. Leighton's birthday. She said she was very sorry that she couldn't try the cake you made last time. That's why I asked you to make one and bring it over."

I gave a self-mocking smile. I had thought Felix and Jasper were going to celebrate my birthday, but it turned out they had forgotten all about it. "I've delivered the cake. Can I leave now?"

I was just about to leave when Felix grabbed my hand. "Why are you so pale? Have you had lunch? Have a meal with us."

His tone was not one of discussion but of notification.

When we walked into the private room together, the manager came up to greet us. "Wow, your family of three is so good-looking."

Another manager came over to serve me. "Ma'am, are you alone?"

Things instantly turned awkward. To outsiders, the three of them seemed like a family.

I did not mind being alone. However, before I could say a word, Felix suddenly came over and took my hand. "She's my wife. We're together."

The two managers apologized, but they looked at me with sympathy. As outsiders, they could tell immediately that Maeve, Felix, and Jasper were more like a family.

I was quiet throughout the meal so that I would not disturb the 'family of three' from celebrating Maeve's birthday. The three of them were talking and laughing, making me look out of place.

Felix suddenly leaned close to my ear. "What's wrong?"

I thought he was concerned about me, but he unexpectedly said, "Look happy. Today is Maeve's birthday. You can't embarrass her like this."

I forced a smile and laughed at myself for being stupid. I should not expect Felix and Jasper to care about me.

Seeing that I was so close to Felix, Maeve looked a little displeased. She suggested cutting the cake as she could not wait to try the cake I had made.

Felix and Jasper sang Happy Birthday to Maeve. They also prepared gifts for her. Jasper made a birthday card for her while Felix gave her a sapphire necklace.

It was also my birthday today, yet no one remembered it, let alone got me any gifts.

Maeve took the first bite of the cake and looked at me with shining eyes. "Thank you for the cake. It's delicious..." Before she could finish speaking, her face suddenly turned pale as if she could not breathe. "Peanuts... You put peanut butter in the cake..."

Felix asked in disbelief, "You know Maeve is allergic to peanuts, yet you deliberately added peanuts to the cake. Do you want to kill her?"

Jasper looked at me as if he wanted to kill me. "What? How could I have such a vicious mother? Ms. Leighton likes you. We even asked you to make a cake and deliver it here, but you want to hurt her! If something happens to Ms. Leighton, I'll never call you 'Mom' again!"

I paused. I had not done anything, and they had not even verified anything. However, they had simply decided I was the villain just because of Maeve's casual remark! They were too busy fussing over Maeve to notice me turning away, devastated.

When I went home to get my luggage, Alfred stopped me from leaving. "Mrs. Cole, Mr. Cole won't want to see you leave. I'll ask him to come back."

Alfred called Felix, his tone sounding anxious from almost being in tears. "Mr. Cole, Mrs. Cole is leaving..."

Felix was probably accompanying Maeve in the hospital. He replied impatiently, "If she wants to leave, let her go. She did something wrong, and she's still thinking of threatening me? Tell her never to come back once she leaves."

I heard Jasper crying on the phone. He kept asking when Maeve would wake up.

Alfred ended the call in despair. I turned around and left without hesitation.

My dad was waiting for me outside. He got out of the car and opened his arms. "Happy birthday, my darling."

I walked over, smiling and crying. It turned out that someone out there still remembered my birthday. I threw myself into my dad's arms. Finally, I could go home.