The table was set under the hanging gray pendant lamps. Steaks were served; champagne corks were popped.
The birthday party was about to start.
"Clover!" Kyle called while craning his neck to look past the wall. "It's all done!"
Clover shook her head and blinked a few times, regaining her composure before she stepped out. Any hints of tears on her face might ruin her entire plan—the fake birthday plan.
"Put on a good act, Clover Hon." She exhaled a silent breath, patted her cheeks, and got on her feet.
With his arms folded, Kyle stood by the table and stared at the condiments—honey garlic sauce, salad dressings, and mustard. He seemed to have trouble selecting the sauce to go with Clover's steak. After a while of hesitation, he finally picked up the mustard bottle and opened its cap. Just as he was about to pour a small portion of it on her plate, he changed his mind again at the last second and took the honey garlic sauce instead.
However, the honey garlic sauce wasn't flowing o
