Cayden couldn’t understand what had happened today. He cried silently in my arms and asked me if Leo didn’t want him anymore and if I was the only person in the world who loved him.
I held him tightly. “That’s not true. Many people love my little hero.
“Grandpa Alex and Grandma Bella miss us very much. They can’t wait to see you. Do you want to leave with me and go find them?”
He hesitated, clutching the toy car Leo had given him last year for his birthday. “But… I don’t want to leave Daddy…”
I held back my tears and gently reassured him, “Daddy and Grandma Patricia don’t want us to stay here. Do you want to call him Uncle Leo for the rest of your life?”
He froze for a moment, then slowly put down the toy car. Tears welled up in his eyes as he pleaded with me, “Can I at least spend this birthday with Daddy before we leave? I just want one last memory with him.”
He refused to call him “Uncle Leo”.
I silently wiped away my tears and kissed the top of his head. “Of course, my love.”
But two days later, on his birthday, Leo, who had promised to throw him a party, never showed up.
I called him and asked angrily, “It’s Cayden’s birthday today. You promised you’d be home. Where are you?”
I could handle disappointment but couldn’t bear to see Cayden’s last bit of hope shatter.
Leo didn’t say a single word before hanging up.
“Daddy’s not coming, is he?” Cayden lowered his head, staring at the cake before him while trying to convince himself.
“It’s okay, Mommy. Uncle Leo is just really busy. You can celebrate with me instead.”
It was the first time he’d ever called Leo “Uncle”.
He seemed to accept that Leo didn’t want him anymore, but the way he bit his lip and forced a smile shattered my heart into pieces.
Furious, I was about to call him again when I suddenly received a message from him.
“Come back to Blazetooth Pack.”
“Baby, look! Daddy remembered your birthday!”
Cayden’s eyes lit up with hope as he gasped in excitement. “Mommy! Daddy remembered my birthday! Let’s go! He must have so many presents for me!”
After receiving confirmation from Leo that he had indeed prepared a birthday party, Cayden was beyond ecstatic. He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the villa in the pack.
But as soon as I stepped inside, my heart sank at the sight before me.
The room was filled with roses. Guests in formal attire mingled around.
This didn’t feel like a birthday party at all. It felt more like…
Cayden, however, didn’t notice. He ran straight toward Leo, who was standing in front of a cake, and threw himself into his arms.
“Daddy! I’m here! Are you waiting for me to cut the cake?”
Leo looked utterly shocked to see us. “Why are you here?”
