Clara returned home, exhausted, a box of medicine in her hand.
She took her medicine, but instead of resting, she started packing.
The moment she thought of what she had seen at the hospital, the home that once felt warm now only suffocated her.
Her phone vibrated. It was Vivian calling.
"Clara, want to go shopping? It's your birthday today. I got you a present." Vivian's voice was bright and gentle, just like it had always been.
Hearing that familiar voice, Clara felt her chest tighten, like she could barely breathe.
She didn't want to go, but before she could answer, the front door swung open.
Vivian walked in as if she belonged there. Clara had once trusted her completely, treated her like family, even given her the door code.
Now that she thought about it, it had only made things easier for Vivian and Julian.
Vivian didn't seem to notice anything was wrong. The moment she saw Clara, she slipped her arm through hers like always.
"Clara, why are all your clothes out?" Vivian smiled, eyes curving with warmth. "Going all out just to shop with me? You didn't have to. Though honestly, you look good in anything."
Clara said nothing.
The scene from the hospital hallway replayed over and over in her mind. Julian's voice, full of emotion, saying, "You're the only one I've ever loved." Vivian's trembling reply, "You can't abandon her right now. I won't break up with you."
Every word felt like a poisoned needle, piercing the softest part of her heart.
Betrayed by the two people she trusted most, Clara felt like the world had already ended.
Lost in a daze, she let Vivian pull her along to the mall.
Inside a luxury boutique, Vivian led her straight to a display case.
"Look, I spent forever picking this out for you."
She carefully took out a deep blue velvet box. Inside was a gemstone bracelet, its pendant shaped like a tiny crescent moon. On the back, a line was engraved, "Always shining for you."
Clara froze.
It was something she had once said in passing during college.
Back then, she had stayed up all night working on a project, with Vivian keeping her company until dawn. Looking out the window, she had said, "If someone could be like the moon, always there, always shining for me… that would be enough."
She had long forgotten it. Vivian hadn't.
"I remember you said the moon was your favorite." Vivian fastened the bracelet gently around her wrist, her eyes shining. "Happy birthday, Clara. From now on, I'll be here for every one."
Clara's eyes burned, and a tangle of emotions tore at her heart as if it would split in two.
Growing up in the Sterling family, her birthdays had never been anything more than a formality at family banquets.
Her father, Victor Sterling, and her mother, Margaret Sterling, would be busy entertaining guests. The staff would bring out the cake. Clara would make the first cut, pose for photos, smile, and then it would be over.
No one ever asked what she wanted. No one ever remembered what she liked.
Not until she met Vivian.
Vivian had once saved up from her part-time jobs to buy Clara an out-of-print poetry collection she loved.
She had knitted Clara a scarf by hand, uneven stitches and all, yet it had kept her warm through an entire winter.
She had secretly recorded their little moments together and made them into a video for Clara.
Clara had always believed that, if nothing else, there was at least one person in this world who truly loved her.
But the very person who had promised to always shine for her was secretly planning a future with Julian behind her back.
"Thank you for still remembering my birthday." Clara spoke softly, her voice a little hoarse.
Vivian noticed nothing unusual and kept gesturing excitedly. "I also ordered your favorite chestnut cake. We'll go to our usual place later, that café by the river. Remember?"
Clara nodded, but her gaze fell to the side of Vivian's neck. There was a faint red mark there, like the trace of someone's kiss.
Then Clara suddenly asked, her voice very soft, "Vivian, are you seeing someone? Why didn't you ever tell me? I'd love to meet your boyfriend."
Vivian froze. She instinctively touched her neck, her cheeks flushing slightly before she quickly covered it up. "Oh… we haven't known each other long. It's not serious yet. Once things are settled, I'll definitely introduce him to you."
Clara watched the way Vivian avoided her eyes, and the last fragile thread of hope in her heart snapped.
How she wished Vivian would just tell her the truth.
Then she could simply turn and leave, instead of having to keep playing along with this ridiculous performance.
But they insisted on making her the fool left in the dark.
"Is that so?" Clara tugged at the corner of her mouth, her smile bitter. "That's wonderful."
She gently placed the gift box back into Vivian's hand and turned to leave.
Only to run straight into a firm embrace.
The familiar scent of cedar washed over her.
Clara stiffened and looked up into Julian's eyes.
He wore a dark gray coat, his expression carrying its usual lazy ease. But the moment he saw her, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes before he quickly forced it down.
"Clara? What are you doing here?" he asked, reaching for her wrist.
Clara stepped back sharply, avoiding his touch.
At that moment, Vivian spoke softly, a hint of reproach in her tone. "Julian, how could you forget what day it is? It's Clara's birthday."
Julian froze. He really had forgotten.
