Chapter 48: Wish Come True
JULIA
The sound of children’s laughter filled the air. I glanced around the private resort, taking in the warm sunlight filtering through the trees.
It was what my parents paid for. I told them Andy would still appreciate a smaller party, but they insisted they make up for the times they lost with him.
Although I was hesitant, I still agreed in the end.
The decorations were simple but thoughtful–balloons shaped like race cars, tiny traffic cones scattered on the tables, and a racetrack cake resting on the dessert stand.
Since my parents paid for the venue, I prepared the food and decorations with Sarah. It was what I saved up for in the past few months. It might not seem like a lot, but for a struggling college student, I really tried my best to put the party all together.
However, I was afraid that all my effort would go to waste if they found out I didn’t prepare Andy’s grand present. “It looks great, Julia,” some of my relatives complimented.
“Thank you,” I said, giving them a slight hug. They were the ones who shamed me as soon as they found out I had a son, yet now, they were all here.
It was a pretty intimate party, with the people I trusted the most invited. However, my parents seemed to have invited our relatives without my knowledge.
Ellie came, and I sighed in relief. She was one of the few people I looked forward to seeing.
“I prepared a present for Andy,” she said.
I smiled. “You can place it on the presents table. Thank you so much for coming here.”
“Of course,” she said, patting my back. “It feels great to be here for Andy.”
She cleared her throat, appearing to want to ask something “Is…he coming?”
Although she didn’t mention his name, I knew exactly who she was talking about.
I pursed my lips and shook my head.
“That asshole,” she muttered. “I saw what happened.”
My eyebrows raised. “You did?” I asked. “Were you there?“!
“Yes and no,” she said with an apologetic look on her face. My cousins sent some videos to our family group chat.
I don’t even know why I’m still in there.”
I let out a deep breath.
“Don’t worry,” she quickly added. “You looked smoking hot. They’re all just jealous of you.”
I let out a small laugh, feeling better than before. “Thanks, Ellie.”
She nodded. “I’ll always have your back.”
With that, she went to mingle with the parents and kids that Andy requested to have at his party.
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Chapter 48 Wish Come True
I stood near the entrance, ready to welcome the other guests in.
Just then, I heard the shuffle of footsteps behind me. Turning, I froze.
“You guys are here?” I asked, trying to mask the surprise in my voice.
Glanna rolled her eyes playfully, balancing a neatly wrapped gift. “Of course. You invited us a week before, right?”
I scratched the back of my neck. “Yeah,” I muttered. “But didn’t tell you it was my son.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Harper said.
“You guys are not disgusted?” I asked.
“Why would we be?” Gianna exclaimed. “If there’s anyone who’s disgusting, then it’s Heather’s boyfriend!”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I thought you guys would side with Heather.”
“You were our friend first before Heather,” Gianna said.
Harper nodded in agreement, her expression softer. “We wouldn’t miss this, Julia.”
A rush of unexpected warmth spread through me, and I smiled despite the heaviness in my chest. “Thank you. Really.”
Before I could say more, Sarah approached. Her fitted white blouse and sleek bun seemed out of place amidst the casual atmosphere, yet she needed to dress like that in case she was called in unexpectedly for work.
“Is your gift coming?” Sarah whispered.
My smile faltered, and I pursed my lips, avoiding her eyes. Probably not,” I said.
Her brows furrowed, concern flashing in her gaze. “You still didn’t tell me what happened yesterday.”
I glanced around, my shoulders stiffening. “Now’s not the time, Sarahı.”
She let out a quiet sigh, dissatisfied but unwilling to push further with so many people around. Before she could say more, my mother appeared, her disapproving expression making my stomach twist.
“Where’s Evander?” she asked.
I pursed my lips. “I don’t know, mom.”
She frowned. “I thought you were bringing him.”
“Well, it’s not like I can force him to be here,” I snapped.
My father, ever the peacekeeper, said nothing. He simply nodded toward the party table and headed off to fetch Andy, leaving my mother’s disappointed gaze lingering a moment longer before she followed.
The sound of laughter drew my attention back to the party. Andy came bounding out of the villa, his face filled with excitement as he took in the decorations. He immediately gravitated toward the gifts table, running his fingers over the shiny wrappers and bows.
“Mommy! This is amazing!” he said, beaming up at me.
I crouched down to his level, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “I’m glad you like it, sweetheart. It’s all for you.”
Andy’s eyes scanned the crowd, his excitement dimming slightly. “Is he coming?”
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Chapter 48: Wish Come True
My chest tightened, but I didn’t let my smile slip. “We’ll see, Andy. For now, enjoy your party, okay?”
He nodded, though the look of hope in his eyes tugged at my heart.
As the guests mingled, the mood remained light. Gianna and Harper laughed with Sarah near the drinks table while my mother kept herself busy talking with our relatives.
The children played around the racetrack decorations, their delighted squeals filling the air.
Everything seemed to be going well until the cake was brought out. The children gathered eagerly around the table as the candles were lit.
“Time to sing!” Sarah called.
Everyone joined in.
Andy stood front and center, his small hands clasped together as he closed his eyes to make a wish. But before he could blow out the candles, his cousin, Henry, leaned forward and did it for him.
I frowned, but the laughter that followed from our relatives seemed to not mind the situation at all.
Andy’s face crumpled in an instant. His small fists clenched at his sides, and his lip quivered.
“I wanted my wish to come true!” he shouted, his voice breaking
The joyful laughter was replaced with silence.
Andy’s tears spilled over as he pointed accusingly at Henry You ruined it! It’s my birthday, not yours!”
Henry’s mom pointed at me. “Learn to control your boy,” she said. “My son is younger and does not know what is right or wrong.”
I was about to snap, but Andy was much more important.
“Andy,” I said gently, moving toward him, but he pulled away.
“It’s not fair!” he sobbed, his shoulders shaking.
Guests exchanged awkward glances, unsure of what to do. My father stepped in, trying to calm Andy, but he refused to be consoled.
“I just want my present,” he said softly, making my heart break.
“I want my wish to come true.”
Just as he had said those words, a shadow crossed over the grass.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Standing at the edge of the garden, looking slightly out of place in his tailored blazer and dark jeans, was Evan.
