Lost Me Gained Regret

I wasn’t surprised when he asked that question. I nodded, “Yeah” 

Gregory glanced at the cheesecake in my hands, and his gaze lifted to meet mine, a scrutinizing look in his eyes. “Did you grow up in RiverCity?” 

I paused and realized he was still looking for his long–lost fiancée. Anyone with the slightest resemblance or connection would want to dig deeper. 

I admired his two–decade–long search, so my reply was patient and detalled. “No, I grew up in Southhoven, quite far from RiverCity and Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Vista Town” 

“Is that so?” He murmured almost imperceptibly, the light in his eyes fading slightly. Yet his gaze remained on me as if he wished to see through me to someone else. 

I chuckled lightly. “Looking for a stand–in for your fiancée like the Myers family found a replacement daughter?” 

Poor Ms. Myers. But passion died over time. After so many years, it was understandable. 

I wondered whether the Myers family still had a place for her if she ever returned. 

Gregory’s smile widened at my words, but it didn’t reach his eyes, his tone casual, “It’s just a coincidence.” 

I smiled. “There must be tens of thousands of people celebrating their birthdays today, and she was so young when she went missing. She probably doesn’t remember her birthday.” 

“Yeah.” His expression dimmed, responding absent–mindedly, then, out of politeness, “Happy Birthday.” 

“Thanks to you. It’s not that happy, though.” I finished. Seeing him fall into a rare silence, I couldn’t help but smile, “Just kidding. Want some cheesecake? It’s too big for me to finish alone.” 

“No, thanks.” He declined softly and turned to head home. 

I didn’t think much of it. Gregory probably wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anyone’s birthday other than the missing Ms. Myers‘ birthday 

I thought I’d be left to eat the cake alone, but I found the lights were all on at home when I opened the door. 

With her hair still damp from the shower, Christine emerged from the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. “You’re finally back! I was worried you wouldn’t make it before midnight.” 

My heart warmed at her presence. “How come you’re here?” 

“Well, you spent your last few birthdays with that jerk, and I was absent. Now that you’re finally single, I couldn’t miss it for the world.” She wrapped a towel around her hair and glanced at the cheesecake. “I already bought one. Why did you get another?” 

I said, “It wasn’t me. I found it on the doorstep. Didn’t you hear the doorbell?” 

“I must have missed it in the shower, Christine grinned, curious, “Who sent it?” 

I was sure. “Must have been Mark” 

The note with the cake matched the message he sent me to a tee. Besides him and Christine, no one else would remember. 

I set down the cake, thanked Mark over the phone, and headed for a shower. Coming home with makeup still on, I couldn’t relax. 

After the shower, I felt back to my comfortable self. While drying my hair, I walked to the vanity and took a bunny pendant from the drawer to put it back on. The dress I wore tonight didn’t go with the pendant, so I didn’t wear it 

*Jane, come make a wish and eat your birthday cake! It’s almost midnight.” Christine called out from the living room as I finished drying my hair. 

When I went out, I saw she had opened both cakes, lit the candles on them, and a plate of biscuits was beside them. 

Seeing me, she immediately lit the candles with a lighter. “Quick, make a wish! Two cakes, two wishes.” 

I sat at the dining table, dutifully clasped my hands, and closed my eyes.