Edith’s heart trembled as she burst into tears, throwing herself into his arms.
“Brother, I only have you. Please don’t leave me.”
Earl’s expression shifted, his body tensing, but he held her steady. He gently rubbed her hair, his voice soft.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid… I’ll always be here for you, Edith.”
The memories came rushing back—those rainy nights spent nestled together in the safety of their warm, sturdy home, the shared duck slippers and matching towels that became part of their daily rhythm, and the unspoken desires and forbidden affection that had grown between them, undeniable and unshakable.
“Earl,” Edith whispered, her voice trembling. “Will you love me?”
She saw it—the storm of emotions in his eyes, roiling like a thunderstorm, dark clouds colliding with streaks of lightning.
Earl gazed at her deeply, his chest rising and falling with his uneven breath, but then his gaze dropped.
“Yes,” he said finally, his voice steady but distant. “I will love you. You’re the child I raised with my own hands.”
Edith bit back her sobs, forcing herself to smile.
“Okay,” she said quietly. “Then let me move out so Edith can move in.”
Earl stiffened, his face darkened.
“If I fall in love in the future,” she continued, “it’ll be inconvenient to live at home.”
Earl cut her off immediately. “No.”
“Why not? Is it that I can’t move out, or that I can’t fall in love?”
“Neither,” he said firmly. “You’re still young.”
“I’m an adult,” she argued.
“You don’t have a job, no income. How will you support yourself?”
“You could give me an allowance, like my classmates’ parents do. Besides, the money you’ve given me already is enough for me to live comfortably for three lifetimes.”
Earl exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin.
“In short, no.”
They locked eyes, the tension between them thick enough to cut. Earl’s gaze was implacable, leaving no room for negotiation.
Finally, Edith spoke again, her voice low and unwavering.
“Brother, don’t regret this.”
After that, Edith didn’t see Edith for a long time.
Following that night, Earl barely mentioned her name around Edith. He did, however, agree to buy a few gifts on Edith’s behalf, saying it was an apology for her earlier behavior—an act of guilt and atonement for her recklessness and misplaced superiority.
But Edith didn’t care about any of it.
What mattered to her was that her birthday was only ten days away.
Edith loved celebrating her birthday. On that day, she became the center of the universe, the most important person in the world. And for one fleeting moment, everyone’s attention would be focused solely on wishing her happiness.
Before she turned nine, it was her parents who were her world; after that, it was Earl.
Every birthday wish Edith made with heartfelt sincerity felt sacred and unbreakable, carrying the promise of coming true.
When the clock struck midnight on her birthday, Edith would light a small lamp by her bedside and read through her mother’s diary.
She’d immerse herself in the tender words written to her and about her.
That quiet ritual was the most cherished moment of her year.
“I have a birthday next week!” Edith announced cheerfully one morning.
Earl, on his way out the door, smiled warmly. “I haven’t forgotten. Let’s celebrate with dinner at home that night, alright?”
Edith’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Okay! I’ll cook!”
Earl looked genuinely surprised. “Our Edith can cook? Now that’s something I can’t miss—even if it rains knives from the sky, I’ll be there.”
As the days on the calendar flipped by, her anticipation grew, and finally, her special day arrived.
There were no classes that day, so Edith spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, determined to prepare a proper meal.
Cooking was unfamiliar territory for her; Earl rarely let her do it. She fumbled her way through, earning two blisters from the heat and a small cut on her thumb while chopping vegetables.
Still, she pressed on, ignoring the sting of her injuries.
By the time the sun was setting, she had managed to prepare a modest spread of dishes. She carefully arranged them on the table, placing the cake at the center, surrounded by flowers and candles she’d bought for decoration.
The flickering candlelight gave the room a warm glow, and Edith couldn’t help but feel proud of her effort.
She picked up her phone to text Earl, asking when he’d be home.
The message went unanswered. The phone stayed silent.
Six o’clock arrived, and with it came the soft hues of dusk. Outside, the world moved on. Pedestrians hurried by, and workers crowded the vegetable stalls below.
Still, there was no reply from Earl.
Edith waited, her patience unwavering.
