"I know, today is your birthday. But, I have an important meeting, an investor from Australia came unexpectedly. I can't postpone it. I'm sorry, honey." Sebastian said softly, playing the role of a helpless husband. "I promise I'll celebrate with you tomorrow."
"Dad's right, Mom. I'll be left playing alone in Dad's study," Ethan added in a contrived voice.
"You can stay home and play Beatsaber all you want, honey." I tried to test my son's lying skills.
"I think Dad's office is more interesting. I promise I won't fuss."
I laughed bitterly. They were getting better at acting. "Go on. It's already 7 o'clock, don't be late."
I stared at their departure with a hollow feeling. I didn't expect my home life to change 180 degrees just because of Bianca's appearance. I stepped into the house and started investigating Sebastian.
Sure enough, Jarvis displayed Sebastian's car route, which wasn't to South Marquette-the building of his agricultural industry company. My eyes narrowed as Sebastian's car drove calmly into a building at 240 Park Ave.
The cell phone rings. I saw a name I recognized. My heart beats rapidly.
"Jarvis, answer."
"Incoming call from: Personal Contact. Connecting now..." I focused on the phone screen.
"Ms. Ohlson," the voice on the other side sounded fast and cold. "You need to see this now. I will send you a video shortly."
A video message came in.
"Enlarge." I gave Jarvis the command again until the screen enlarged itself.
I looked at the television screen connected to Jarvis. In the video, a woman was sitting in the middle of Sebastian and Ethan. The faces of the three radiated happiness just like me and the two of them used to.
"Sebastian? He's going to be my husband soon." The woman said as if it was an imminent fact.
"Oh, my God. Is that true, Mr. Hayes?" someone said while looking at Sebastian.
I waited for Sebastian's answer, but the universe seemed to be against me. Sebastian, sitting silently, neither argued nor commented. He only smiled slightly, but I could see the tinge of happiness radiating from his gaze at the woman.
Meanwhile, Ethan, who was sitting beside him, smiled contentedly and chattered enthusiastically, "Isn't that right Dad? How exciting, Bianca is going to be my mom."
Bianca famous ballerina who was graceful and the center of the stage lights whenever she headlined a ballet performance. Bianca was also Sebastian's childhood friend, who accompanied him for almost half of his life.
"But don't you already have a wife?" asked one of the men with a champagne glass in his hand.
"Mom and Dad rarely talk, so Dad and Bianca often talk and go out together. I think Dad loves Bianca now and I'm okay with her being Dad's wife," Ethan snapped.
Bianca smiled as she gently stroked Ethan's hair, while Sebastian seemed to look satisfied with his son's answer.
I held my burning eyes as I caught my breath. I knew that the photo was taken a few days ago. Sebastian had accompanied Ethan to the bookstore, buying school supplies but dressed very neatly. That night I didn't ask many questions because I felt very sleepy, not as sleepy as usual.
I was about to walk to my room when my cell phone rang again.
"What's up, Jarvis?" I asked breathlessly.
"I searched. You should check it out, Ms. Ohlson.”
Dinner with Club Ballerina Bianca - confirmed by a personal assistant. +1: Ethan Hayes. The exact date and time is today, seven in the evening.
With trembling hands, I open the agenda attachment. It was exactly tonight, as Sebastian and Ethan had promised, that they would take me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. As it turns out, they'd rather spend time with Bianca than me with the excuse of, yet again, work.
I just laughed bitterly, but I had to keep quiet, waiting for the right time after everything was taken care of by Jason.
It was getting late, there was no sign of their return. I crouched in the backyard. The fire was already lit, burning all our memorable photos. From the wedding photos, to the family photos I loved so much, the last one taken when our relationship was still very warm, Ethan laughing so wide.
As the photo of Ethan on his fifth birthday began to burn, my hand stopped. I paused for a few seconds and then, threw it into the fire. I wasn't going to cry anymore, I wasn't going to let that wound stay open and played with.
"All those pictures of your loved ones, Ms. Ohlson."
"Not anymore, Jarvis. They've already cut deep wounds in my heart." I replied as I continued to toss the photo.
As I stared at the flames in front of me, I remembered one night. Ethan appeared with a blanket and pillow that almost dragged the floor.
"Mom... I want to sleep with you tonight."
Without many words, I patted the side of the bed. Ethan climbed in, rolling himself under my arm, his head resting on my shoulder. I hummed softly until Ethan's breathing was regular with his eyes closed looking peaceful.
The next day when I was busy preparing breakfast. Ethan came into the kitchen half-running with an excited face. He opened the fridge and poured milk into a glass, spilling a little on the table, but still carrying it proudly.
"For you, Mom," he said as he handed over the glass and smiled widely.
However, I didn't see that anymore.
Everything started to change when I forbade Ethan from eating chocolate because he had just had severe constipation. I was angry at Sebastian for still bringing Ethan that snack, even though the doctor had told him the consequences. My maternal signals increased dramatically to make sure Ethan didn't consume it again.
"Enough, Sebastian! You know, he's just recovering," I said sternly, taking the chocolate from Ethan's hand.
Ethan looked up at his father. "Dad didn't forbid it. Bianca doesn't either, but why is Mom so nagging? You're always forbidding me this and that, Mom. You might as well not feed me."
From that day on, Ethan always mentioned Bianca in every sentence that used to be just for me.
"What are you doing, Elara?"
Someone's voice pulled me to the current reality. I turned my head and immediately stood up then took a few steps back.
"Nothing," I replied calmly. "Just idly burning useless trash."
Sebastian stepped closer. We were now facing each other with the fire separating us.
Sebastian glanced at the metal container, saw black ash, and couldn't see what I had burned.
Ethan came forward slowly. In his hand is a bouquet of my favorite tiny roses, pink taped with a yellow ribbon that's slightly askew.
"These are for you, Mom. Happy birthday."
I accepted it with a smile. Then, releasing my grip on the stems to fall into the fire, everything began to burn. My lips displayed a faint grin on my face.
"Oops. Well...it fell. Ouch, my hands are wet." I pretended to say weakly.
"Mom, the flowers..." Ethan said with a surprised face.
Sebastian stared at me, I don't know what he was thinking. However, from the way his eyes were wide open, it seemed like he wanted to get angry.
I put on a guilty face as I said, "Sorry, Ethan. Mom didn't hold it right."
Sebastian opened his mouth, but I quickly said, "It's very late. We'd better get some sleep."
I stepped up first. Normally I would kiss Ethan's cheek and take his hand to go inside. Now I didn't want to do that stupid thing anymore. However, I had already eliminated one by one the things that wanted
When Sebastian and Ethan went inside, it seemed like they realized something. All their pictures weren't there. I glanced over, they quickly went into their respective rooms and the result was the same. I had emptied all the frames.
I kept walking towards the room when I got inside, Ethan walked in. "Dad, where did all my pictures go?" he asked with a sad face.
Sebastian turned to me. I casually replied, "I threw them away because they were old photos and the room looked dated. It feels better to replace them with new photos later."
Sebastian looked calm after hearing my explanation. Maybe he thought I knew something.
"Listen, Ethan. Nowadays photos are better captured on social media. Mom will do it for us." he said smiling with relief, rubbing his son's head gently.
"Dad promised, I'll buy you the latest state-of-the-art cell phone, so you can post all our happy moments," he said again.
"Really?" asked Ethan excitedly.
Sebastian nodded with a big smile. "Of course."
Ethan cheered. "Yes! I'll take a picture of you and show it off to the class."
I moved up to the bed, not caring what they said.
A new cell phone. A moment of togetherness. It was not about me.
