Chapter 8 Her Third Birthday
Pei Xi’s eyes and brows looked like mine.
She tiptoed, took my hand, and secretly slipped a candy into my palm.
Facing those eager eyes, I couldn’t refuse. I’d never forgotten that today was her birthday.
Three years ago I’d promised I’d stay away from them.
But in that moment, I didn’t want to keep the promise anymore.
I’d already missed so much of her life. Spending one birthday with her—what could it hurt?
I led Pei Xi inside and braided her hair.
I’d learned so many styles from videos. Finally, I could use them.
She stared at her reflection and beamed.
“Mommy, you’re amazing.”
She opened her arms for a hug.
We’d never met before, yet she was so attached to me.
I couldn’t help asking, “Mommy hasn’t been with you all these years. Don’t you blame me?”
Pei Xi shook her head seriously. “No. Daddy said Mommy has her own dreams and life. You’re you first, then my mommy.”
“Whenever I miss you, Daddy shows me pictures and tells me your stories.”
I crouched to her level. “What stories?”
“That Mommy loves pink, loves pomelos, hates cold winters, dreams of the ocean and wide grasslands. And loves me so, so much.”
So Pei Yuchuan had kept talking about me to her.
Pei Xi smiled brightly. “And even though you’re not here, you always send me gifts.”
Gifts?
I was stunned.
We’d had no contact for three years. Everything was still locked in my closet.
But she listed them happily. “Last month you sent building blocks. The month before, a talking pen and puzzles. Dolls, princess dresses, crystal shoes, butterfly clips…”
She went on and on, then grinned. “All from Mommy. The other kids are jealous.”
He’d sent them in my name.
He’d given her all the love she needed—even the part that was supposed to come from me.
Osmanthus petals drifted outside the window. Pei Yuchuan waited on the sill.
We quietly celebrated Pei Xi’s third birthday together.
We took her to the amusement park all day.
Pei Yuchuan carried her water bottle and spare sweat towels.
She drank a lot and sweated easily.
He tucked towels inside her clothes to keep her from catching cold, changing them often.
It was clear he’d been raising her hands-on all these years.
He knew she loved the carousel and the spinning honey pots.
Before she could ask, he’d buy her bright balloons.
Holding both our hands as we walked through the castle, she made it feel like we were a real family.
While they weren’t looking, I snapped a photo of the two of them.
The moment I pressed the shutter, Pei Yuchuan seemed to sense it. He glanced at the camera.
And smiled.
That small gesture made my heart skip.
That evening we celebrated beside the garden hot spring.
Pei Xi’s eyes shone in the candlelight as she made her wish.
I thought it would be for herself.
But she clasped her hands and said clearly,
“I hope Mommy has everything she wants, endless happiness, and always gets to do what she loves.”
I blinked. “Why wish for Mommy?”
She tiptoed and kissed my cheek.
“Daddy said giving birth to me was really hard. You suffered all night in the delivery room. I want you safe and happy forever.”
“With Daddy and Mommy’s love, I’ll grow up healthy and happy.”
Her eyes curved into little crescents. My heart melted completely.
Kids sleep early. Around eight, the nanny carried her away.
I watched until she disappeared.
The hot spring side grew quiet—just me and Pei Yuchuan.
He saw me staring after her and asked softly, “Can’t bear to let Xi Xi go?”
I already missed her terribly. Seeing her and then parting again left an ache.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
He said nothing more.
With her gone, I shouldn’t stay. I started to leave.
But he called from behind, “Wen You—is it only her you can’t bear to leave?”
Before I could answer, he stepped closer.
In the stillness by the hot spring, he looked down at me. I felt the warmth of his breath.
“And me? You can let me go that easily?”
Our noses nearly touched.
His familiar scent filled my senses. Memories of kissing without restraint flashed through my mind.
If I just lifted my chin, our lips would meet.
But reason won.
I forced myself back a step, desperate to get away.
I forgot the pool was right behind me.
My foot found nothing—and I fell into the water.