Chapter 41
Avery didn’t like eating birthday cake. Every time she did, it would bring up unpleasant memories.
She remembered when she was little, Molly had ordered a three–tiered mango cake for Abigail on her birthday. Avery was allergic to mangoes, so when everyone else started eating the cake, she didn’t touch it.
When Howard asked her why she wasn’t eating, she explained that she was allergic to mangoes. But Abigail, who overheard, immediately burst into tears.
She cried, saving she didn’t know, begging Avery not to be angry and promising never to eat anything with mango in it again.
Seeing Abigail cry like that, Molly was heartbroken. She quickly pulled her into her arms, comforted her softly, and scolded Avery for being difficult.
At that time, Avery was still a child. When she saw Abigail crying uncontrollably, she didn’t know how to react, and when Molly blamed her, she felt utterly helpless. She looked over at Howard, hoping her father w
would say something comforting. Instead, be only looked at her with disappointment and said, “You’re being too sensitive. No man will like that in the future”
With that he went to comfort Abigail, leaving her feeling abandoned. In her frustration, she started eating the caloe in big bites with tears streaming down her face. It wasn’t until she broke out in hives and collapsed to the floor that Molly and Howard rushed to her.
Later, when she woke up in the hospital, the first face she saw wasn’t Abigall’s or Molly’s, but an elderly nurse.
It was then that she learned that Abigail was terrified from the shock of seeing her suddenly collapse, and Howard and Molly had stayed by her side the whole time.
Thinking about these memories, she suddenly felt the cake in her mouth turn bitter. All these years, she had gotten used to the favoritism Molly and Howard would show Abigail, Sometimes, Avery would comfort herself, telling herself that it was as if she didn’t have parents at all. But still, whenever she remembered things like this, she couldn’t help but
“What’s wrong?” Joshua’s voice brought her back to the present. He was coughing heavily, and his concerned eyes were locked on her.
Avery snapped back to attention, sering how badly he was coughing Her heart jumped with worry. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” But Joshua continued to cough, and the intensity made his face flush
Alarmed, Avery moved closer, gently patting his back to help him catch his breath. Once he seemed to calm down, she poured him a glass of water. “Drink some water.”
He took the glass but didn’t drink it, his gaze still filled with concern. “What happened to you just now?“”
Avery, a little helpless, met his gaze. “I’m fine. Do you want me to call a doctor?
He shook his head, but his expression remained serious. “Emasking about you. What happened?”
“Ljust started thinking about some old memories,” she deflected, hoping to avoid the conversation.
Joshua furrowed his brows, clearly unconvinced. But seeing that she wasn’t willing to talk, he didn’t press the matter. He gestured for the cake to be taken away, and she felt a bit puzzled as she watched.
“I wasn’t considerate enough today. I didn’t realize you didn’t like birthday cake. I’ll be more mindful next time.”
She looked at him, unsure of what to say in response.
He continued, “If there’s something you don’t like in the future, just tell me. You never have to force yourself in front of me.”
Seeing Avery staring at him intently, he smiled slightly and added, “Let’s eat first. Afterward, we can talk as long as you want.
