Chapter 7 Her Birthday Was Yesterday
569 Words
Elizabeth watched the flurry of activity-flowers being arranged, tables set up, and fine pastries and drinks laid out like it was some kind of fancy bash.
"Something big going on at home? Looks like someone's throwing a party?" she asked.
Marry's eyes shifted nervously as she replied, "No idea, really. I'm just here to keep an eye on things."
"Hey hey hey! Go easy with the table, don't bang it up!"
Watching everyone running around, Elizabeth leaned in and whispered, "What's the deal today? This setup's kinda over the top, isn't it?"
"No clue. Don't remember him ever hosting anything like this before. Maybe he closed some deal and this is a celebration or something."
By evening, the house started to fill with guests. Then came Ethan, arm-in-arm with a dressed-to-the-nines Harper, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple.
That's when Scarlett realized-it was Harper's birthday. This entire event was Ethan's grand gesture for her.
"What the hell is this guy thinking?"
"He brings the side chick home, throws her a birthday party right in front of the wife-he's practically announcing her status to the world!"
"That's cold. After tonight, people are just going to see you as a prop. Who's gonna actually respect you as Mrs. Johnson anymore?"
"I mean... I was always just for show. Doesn't really matter. No need to be upset on my behalf."
"Scarlett, I seriously feel so bad for you."
"Well well, isn't this Mrs. Johnson? What's up with your eyes?"
"I got an invite and thought this was your birthday bash. Totally didn't expect it to be for Miss Carter."
"Wait, did you and Mr. Johnson get divorced or something? Weren't you the one saying you'd never give up the title of Mrs. Johnson?"
Just as the crowd's snide remarks started piling up, Elizabeth suddenly threw a glass of wine in someone's face. That caused a stir-and caught Ethan's attention.
"Ugh, those gossipy hens really need to be put in their place."
"So what if it's a birthday party for the other woman? No need to act like a bunch of lapdogs trying to win her over. When your birthday comes around, I'll throw you something ten times better."
"When is your birthday, anyway?"
"Yesterday." Scarlett said calmly.
"What?!"
"Wait, your birthday was yesterday? Why didn't you tell me?" Elizabeth looked totally shocked.
And right behind her, Ethan, who had just lifted his glass in a toast, suddenly froze mid-motion.
Yesterday... was her birthday?
No wonder she'd asked him again and again to come home for dinner.
He knew he was forgetting something important all day yesterday-but he just couldn't quite remember what.
Turns out, it was this.
Hmph. So what? A woman like her doesn't deserve a birthday celebration.
Even hearing her friends' outrage, Scarlett stayed cool. She didn't want to be surrounded by all the forced laughter and noisy chatter. Ever since she lost her sight, silence and solitude oddly felt more comforting.
"I'm gonna head upstairs for a bit. It's too noisy here."
Elizabeth didn't say a word. She just helped her back to the bedroom.
She'd noticed that ever since Scarlett went blind, she actually preferred busier environments-said the sound of people made her feel less alone in the darkness.
But tonight's noise... just wasn't for her. Scarlett would rather embrace the quiet and the dark than sit there listening to the man she loved laughing with another woman.
- Writer
