“Drake,” Chiara’s voice came soft, gentle, like she belonged here more than I ever did.
He turned instantly. Just like that. Like I didn’t exist.
She walked in holding a bouquet of strong-scented white lilies, smiling shyly. “I brought these… I thought maybe she’d like them.”
Drake’s eyes softened right away. “You shouldn’t be walking around too much. What if something happens to you or the pup?”
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice light. “I just wanted to do something nice.”
He took the bouquet from her and turned to me, placing it in my arms. “Here. For you.”
“Happy birthday, Miss Brightman,” Chiara added softly.
The scent hit me hard. Too strong. Too suffocating. I started coughing, over and over, my chest tightening. Tears streamed down my face and I couldn’t stop them.
Drake frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you allergic? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Chiara suddenly came up behind me and covered my eyes with both hands, laughing softly like this was some kind of game.
“Come on, come on, just a few more steps,” she said, gently but firmly pushing me forward. “Don’t peek, okay? I prepared something special for you.”
I didn’t fight her. I just let myself be led. What was the point anymore?
“Alright… ready?” she said, voice bright. “Surprise!”
She let go.
And I saw it.
On the white marble table was raw meat, still dripping with blood, foam clinging to it like it hadn’t even been cleaned properly. The vegetables were burnt black, like they’d been left too long over the flame.
For a second, I just stared.
Was this a joke…? Or was I the joke?
Chiara suddenly gasped and slapped her forehead. “Oh no! I totally forgot. Miss Brightman can’t really see, right? I didn’t think about how this would look…”
She stopped mid-sentence and covered her mouth, like she realized she messed up.
Drake immediately reached for her hands, his movements quick, reassuring, signing gently to her. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Chloe won’t mind something like this. She’s not that sensitive.”
Not that sensitive.
Chiara lowered her head, her fingers trembling as she signed back. “Why does it feel like I can’t do anything right? I just wanted to do something nice for her, but I kept messing up… I’m useless.”
Drake shook his head, his expression soft, almost pained. “You’re not useless. Stop saying that. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. You don’t need to be perfect.”