Chapter 5

Over time, Logan came to think that Artie liked walnut tart.

Little did he know, Artie had asthma and hated dry, crumbly food.

The pastry had never been what made him happy.

It was the joy of seeing his father come home safe and sound.

My chest tightened, but I managed a faint smile.

“Thank you.”

Logan smiled back and continued, “Jenny’s kid really liked Artie’s clothes. Why don’t we just give them to him?

“Fabric is inexpensive these days anyway, so you can just make him another set. What do you think?”

I nodded, feeling unusually calm inside.

“Sure.”

Logan was a little taken aback, somewhat unsettled by my composure.

“You’re not mad?”

I shook my head.

“I’m not angry.

“But tonight’s our son’s birthday. Could you come home later and spend time with him at home?”

Realizing I had a request, Logan breathed a sigh of relief.

He smiled and gave me a military salute.

“Mission accepted.”

That evening, I cooked a feast of Artie’s favorite dishes.

I placed his portrait on a chair and waited quietly for Logan’s return.

There was a belief that a little child’s soul would visit their parents in the mortal world on the first birthday after their death.

I hoped that when Artie visited, he would see Lmegan and I celebrating his final birthday for him.

The clock on the table chimed time and again.

Ten o’clock that night, yet Logan still hadn’t turned up.

I couldn’t wait any longer and went to the barracks myself.

As soon as I stepped out of the residential area, fireworks were exploding across the night sky, set off by the roadside.

Artie loved lively fireworks more than anything.

Logan was always so busy though, so he never had the time to set them off with Artie.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared to walk past them quietly and leave.

I’d barely taken two steps when I heard Jenny’s voice.

“Logan, dear, be careful. Don’t burn Tommy.”

She said sweetly and playfully as she stood beneath a tree.

Logan acknowledged softly and struck a match to light the firework in the boy’s hand.

“Congratulations, Tommy! Tomorrow’s your first day of school!”

Jenny covered her ears and shouted, “Tommy, happy first day of school!”

Their laughter, mingled with the crackling of the fireworks, echoed down the entire street.

Standing in the shadows, I watched the scene unfold while my heart was being torn apart bit by bit.

Logan Pearce, did you still remember our son?

Tomorrow would be his first day at school, too.

Alas, he wouldn’t be there.

Without disturbing the trio, I turned away and silently made my way home.

The birthday cake on the table had been left out for too long and the cream had all but turned to mush.

I took a bite and turned to smile at Artie’s portrait.

“It’s too sweet.

“Even sweeter than the drink Mom had in the hospital that day.”

Sniffing back a sob, I tried hard to suppress the tremor in my voice.

“Happy birthday, Artie.

“Mom misses you.”

That night, Logan set off fireworks all night long for Jenny’s son.

I, too, sat beside my son’s portrait and finished the birthday cake.

Dawn came, and I returned to my room to pack my bags.

At that exact moment, Logan got home.

“Artie, Dad’s back!

“There was an emergency mission last night, so Dad couldn’t make it to your birthday.

“But see what I got you as your birthday present—a brand new school bag! Come and try it on…”

Logan’s gaze locked onto the black-and-white portrait sitting on the chair.