The Art of Not Missing You - Chapter 9

Mom had spent the entire morning preparing a lavish spread, waiting only for Alexander Monroe and me to return.

At the table, Alexander carried himself with effortless grace, making even the simple act of eating a pleasure to watch. He engaged seamlessly in conversation with Mom and Uncle Jack, as if they’d known each other for years.

It was a scene I had fantasized about countless times, one Ethan Foster had never once granted me. All I’d ever wanted was to bring the person I loved home, to share laughter and warmth with my family over a meal. Now, Alexander sat there as if it were his rightful place.

After dinner, Uncle Jack insisted on cutting the cake. I was puzzled, he’d never had a sweet tooth, yet today he seemed more eager than I was. Mom leaned in and whispered,

“Alexander made it himself. He knew how much you love desserts and went out of his way to learn.”

The surprises today had already been overwhelming, but that didn’t stop my traitorous heart from racing again. I stole a quick glance at Alexander before closing my eyes to make a wish.

For the past five years, I’d spent my birthdays with Ethan. He disliked cake, so our celebrations had always been a quick dinner out, followed by a token slice-sized cake. Still, I’d stubbornly light a single candle and wish for a lifetime with him. He’d laugh and say, “Wishing on a cake is pointless. You’d have better luck wishing directly to me.”

He knew exactly what I wanted, yet never once told me the truth. That he didn’t love me. That my wish would always remain just that, a wish.

This was my first birthday after leaving him, and it was nothing short of extraordinary.

As I blew out the candles, Alexander murmured,

“Sophia, your wish will come true.”

I looked up, meeting his gaze, and nodded firmly.

Yes. This time, it would.

Just as we were about to cut the cake, Uncle Jack’s phone rang urgently. After answering, he pulled me aside, baffled.

“Sophia’s right here. We’re celebrating her birthday.”

A beat of silence passed on the other end before he handed me the phone.

“I thought you’d already wrapped things up. Why is Ethan Foster desperately looking for you today?”

Glancing at Alexander, I decided honesty was best.

“Ignore him. He probably just can’t accept that I ended things.”

Uncle Jack’s grip on the phone tightened, his eyes blazing. Already harboring disdain for my ex, his fury skyrocketed upon realizing the “jerk” was actually his own so-called friend.

“I treated you like a brother, and you played me for a fool? Get the hell away from us!”

He hung up, still seething, and promptly blocked Ethan. No amount of coaxing could calm him down, he was ready to fly over and beat Ethan senseless.

I’d assumed someone as prideful as Ethan would retreat after being blocked by both of us. But when Alexander and I returned from my wedding dress fitting, Ethan was waiting outside, holding a cake.

His gaze flicked dismissively to Alexander before he grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward him.

“Sophia, enough with the act! You have a boyfriend, since when do you cozy up to other men? Is this some petty game to piss me off?”

I struggled against his grip, but he only tightened it, pain shooting through my arm.

“Ethan, let go! Have some dignity!”

Without hesitation, Alexander drove his fist into Ethan’s face.

“She said let go. Are you deaf?”

Even after the hit, Ethan refused to release me.

“This is between me and my girlfriend. Stay out of it!”