Chapter 2

"Come on, get inside, it's cold out here."

I quickly opened the door for them.

"Don't rush us, we're coming!"

Brooke laughed, quickening her pace in high heels to catch up. As she entered, she stumbled slightly.

The cake she was carrying crashed to the floor.

I rushed forward to help steady her.

"Watch out!" Luke beat me to it, grabbing her waist to steady her.

He anxiously crouched down to check her ankle. "How is it? Can you still walk?"

My outstretched hand hung in mid-air, and Brooke's smile froze on her face.

The air fell into an awkward silence.

Luke's movements faltered as his eyes met mine.

"Lena, don't be mad. Brooke's always been clumsy, she didn't mean to drop the cake. I'll go buy another one right away."

I watched him protect Brooke. Just like Brooke had always protected me, standing in front of me since we were kids.

Brooke and I grew up together in an orphanage. She was hot-headed, and I was timid; she always protected me.

Now, I just awkwardly shoved my hand back into my pocket, fingers caressing that terminal illness notice, and looked away, smiling.

"I'm not a three-year-old, there's nothing to be mad about. It's just a cake."

"Luke, can you clean that up? I'll go check the medicine cabinet for band-aids."

Luke lowered his head apologetically.

"I'll order a new cake right now."

I waved my hand dismissively, helped Brooke sit on the sofa, and found some ointment to gently apply.

Brooke said, "Lena, you're too kind."

I smiled and said, "You are too, Brooke."

Brooke lowered her head and stayed silent.

After I put a band-aid on her, Luke had already finished cleaning up and called us over to eat the newly ordered cake.

Luke lit the candles. In the flickering candlelight, I saw a photo displayed on the corner of the table.

Luke and I, in our high school uniforms, holding hands tightly.

Brooke, in a red spaghetti-strap dress, hugged my other arm, glaring resentfully at him.

Back then, they couldn't stand each other.

Brooke would fiercely tell Luke, "Hey! You're her first boyfriend. If you ever hurt her, you're dead!"

Luke would retort, "No way! I think *you're* the one who looks like you'd hurt Lena!"

At that time, Brooke's eyes dimmed.

I quickly told Luke to stop.

When I was fifteen, the orphanage closed down. Brooke dropped out of school and worked to put me through high school.

She dressed in sexy clothes, became an influencer, and each time I tried to help her shoulder the burden, she'd send me back to school with a lecture.

"Lena, you're smart, and you're still young. You have to study hard and go to college! I don't have that chance anymore, you need to cherish this opportunity to learn, understand?"

But she was only three years older than me.

Memories flooded my mind.

I closed my eyes and made a sincere wish.

I wished for my best friend and the boy I loved most to be happy forever.

Even long after I was gone.

After I made my wish, Brooke eagerly volunteered to cut the cake, then mischievously dabbed frosting on my nose.

"Happy birthday, Lena, another year older."

I forced a smile, but then I saw Luke's burning gaze fixed on her.

It was tender and lingering.

The bitterness in my heart flared up again.

Brooke, completely oblivious, casually pulled out a small gift box. "See? Do you like it?"

Luke finally snapped back to reality, playfully elbowed her aside, and, holding something mysterious in his palm, leaned in.

"Guess what I got you?"

"You little brat, stop trying to steal my thunder, don't you dare compete with me!" Brooke puffed out her cheeks, exasperated.

"You two rivals, stop bickering and just leave me alone." Neither of them would back down, so I helplessly rubbed my forehead, forced to open both their gifts at once.

The moment I opened them, we all froze.