Chapter 22
For the twins‘ sixth birthday, Louis decided to hold a birthday party for them.
Jolene applied for two day’s leave from the kindergarten for the kids. Then, their family of four went to the Norwood residence a day before the party.
While it was almost time for the party to begin, the cake they had placed an order for several days ago still had not been delivered to the house.
Cedric considered driving to the shop to ask about the cake, but Jolene would not let him. She would rather have the maids bake two cakes as replacements instead.
Still, Cedric knew how excited the twins were to see the castle–shaped cake. He did not want to let the kids down.
Louis wanted to give the twins what they were looking forward to as well. So, he told Cedric to go and come back with the cake as soon as possible. However, Jolene still would not
allow it.
Cedric was about to persuade her again. Yet, he changed his mind and put down the car keys when he noticed her slightly trembling hands and the anxious look in her eyes.
“What’s the matter? It’s supposed to be a happy occasion today. I won’t go if you don’t want me to. So, don’t be so tense. Alright?”
Jolene calmed down gradually. Still, she refused to let go of Cedric’s hand.
She had reacted this way because Jolene remembered clearly that Cedric had met with a car accident on her child’s sixth birthday in her previous life.
Although things had changed in this life, Jolene could not afford to take any risks. She had experienced the pain and agony of losing a loved one before. This time, Jolene would do whatever it took to keep him by her side.
After learning that the castle–shaped cake would not be delivered to them that day, the two young girls had gloomy looks on their faces. They held each other’s hands as they sat on a swing in the garden, both sighing from time to time.
Preston, who arrived at the Norwood residence, smiled softly when he spotted them.
He brought the gifts he had prepared specifically for them and treaded quietly toward them to give them a surprise. Just then, he heard the two girls whispering to each other.
“Why won’t Mommy let Daddy go and pick up the cake for us?”
“I don’t know, but Daddy will definitely listen to Mommy if she says no.”
“Well, never mind. We’ll just ask Daddy to buy us a new cake next year. We’ll be one year older by then, so the castle–shaped cake will definitely be bigger and prettier!”
A thought occurred to Preston upon hearing those words.
“What cake are you guys talking about?”
The girls clung to Preston and called out his name when they noticed him. Then, they started telling him about what happened with the cake.
Preston nodded. He passed the gifts to the girls and patted their heads gently.
“Then, you two should be good and wait here for a while. I’ll go and pick up the cake for you.”
The girls did not agree to Preston’s suggestion right away. Instead, one of them grabbed Preston’s left hand while the other grabbed his right hand.
“You don’t have to do that, Preston. Mommy said we’ll have a simple cake today. She’ll be angry if she finds out about this.”
“That’s right, Preston. If you go out now, you won’t make it to see us blow the candles. Also, there might not be any leftover cakes for you!”
For a moment, Preston thought two Jolenes were standing before him as he looked at the two clever, mischievous girls.
He still could not forget the way Jolene would follow behind him and call out his name repeatedly when they were still kids. Sadly, he could no longer change things back to how they were.
Preston closed his eyes briefly to conceal the emotions reflected in those orbs. Then, he smiled.
“It’ll be fine. Just don’t tell your mommy about this. I’m going to pick up the cake for you guys. Remember to save a piece of your birthday cake for me!”
The three of them made a pinky promise. Then, Preston pulled out his car keys and walked off.
For some unknown reason, Preston took another glance over his shoulder before leaving the Norwood residence. He spotted Jolene holding the girls‘ hands and leading them back to the living room.
She looked pretty much the same as how she was back when she was 20. It was as though time had flowed much slower for Jolene.
However, Preston knew that nothing was the same anymore. Jolene no longer belonged to him.
When she moved out of sight, Preston finally entered the car, looking slightly dispirited.
The weather was a little dark and gloomy that day. Preston could see the distance between him and his destination decreasing gradually via the GPS device as he waited at a rate light.
When he lifted his gaze, a shabby–looking car stopped in the right lane next to his car. The driver rolled down the window.
Preston turned his head reflexively. He knitted his brows when he spotted a thin, emaciated face.
Childer 23
Chapter 23
