She sniffed, then looked up again. “I… I also made a mango cake for her. I thought something sweet might make her happy.”
Drake turned to me, his eyes full of that same gentle look I used to believe in. “Wife, come on. Don’t just stand there. She worked hard on it. At least try a bite, okay?”
I didn’t move. My hands clenched slowly at my sides.
I felt so tired. So, so tired.
“Drake,” I said quietly, “Do you even remember what today is?”
He froze. “What do you mean? It’s your birthday, isn’t it?”
“No. It’s not.”
There was a pause.
“It’s the day our son died,” I said. “The day the snow buried everything. The day you didn’t come back.”
His face changed. Just for a second. Regret, maybe. Or guilt. I couldn’t tell anymore.
“And… I’m allergic to mango,” I added, looking at the cake he was still holding out to me.
“Wife, I…” he started, “I didn’t know. I thought—”
“You didn’t think,” I cut in softly. “You just forgot.”
He stepped closer. “Chloe, wait. Don’t go like this. Let’s just talk, alright? You’re upset, I get it, but don’t shut me out.”
I shook my head and turned away. “I’m not upset. I’m just… done talking.”
I walked away, ignoring him calling after me, ignoring Chiara’s soft crying, ignoring the way his voice shifted when he started comforting her instead.
...
Back in my room, I shut the door and blocked everything out.
I didn’t know how long I slept. Maybe hours. Maybe longer.
A noise woke me up. Something moving downstairs. Voices, faint.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Drake was there, sitting by my bed, watching me like nothing had ever changed.
“Wife,” he said softly, his voice warm again, gentle like before. “You’re awake.”
I didn’t answer. I just stared at him.
“I made you something,” he continued, almost careful now. “Strawberry cake. Your favorite. Do you want to get up and eat a little?”
I pulled my hand away when he tried to touch me. “No. I’m not hungry.”
His hand stayed in the air for a second before dropping. He sighed. “Don’t lie to me. You’re still angry, aren’t you?”
I didn’t respond.
He leaned forward a bit. “After I finish this busy period, I’ll take you out. There’s a concert coming up, one you used to like. We can go together, just us. Would you like that?”
I turned my face away, staring at my hair falling over my shoulder. I stayed silent.