Library
Search
Short
After Five Missed Birthdays, I Left

After Five Missed Birthdays, I Left

Short Story · Romance
By:  One GrainCompleted
Language: English
goodnovel4goodnovel
9Chapters
7views
Read
Add to library

Share:  

Report
Overview
Catalog
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP

Synopsis

Tragic Love

Bias

Girl Power

Winning Back the Wife

Plot Twists

Unattainable Love

Once again, Alex Feinn, my partner, had work commitments on my birthday. Before he left, Alex gently kissed my cheek and tried to reassure me. "I'm sorry I have to miss your birthday again this year, but I'll make it up to you with a gift." I smiled and brushed it off. Once he was gone, I decided to surprise him and went looking for him. Instead, I saw a woman run into his arms. I recognized her. It was Quinn Bayer, his childhood friend, whom he had once told he was in love with. Quinn slipped her arm through his. "Cathy and I share a birthday, but you spend it with me every year. Aren't you worried she'll find out?" Alex took her purse to carry it for her, looking completely unconcerned. "So what if she does? She's been devoted to me for five years. If she ever saw us celebrating your birthday together, she'd just pretend she hadn't." Then, he took out two gift boxes and handed them to Quinn. "Keep whichever one you like. I'll take the other one home for Cathy." So every gift I had received over the past five years had been something Quinn did not want. The early autumn air was mild, but I felt cold all over. I took out my phone and called my mother. My voice was calm and steady. "Mom, I've made up my mind. I'll come home and go through with the marriage you arranged. I'll wrap everything up here and be home in three days."

View More

Latest chapter

More Chapters

You may also like

Related Novels

New Release Novels

To Readers

Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.

No Comments
9 Chapters
Chapter 1
Quinn Bayer chose the diamond necklace without hesitation.Alex Feinn fastened it around her neck himself before looking at her with open admiration."You look beautiful."Quinn laughed softly, then fished for another compliment with a smug smile. "So, who's prettier? Cathy or me?""She doesn't even come close."The way Alex answered without a second thought left me deeply disappointed.Quinn slipped her arm through his with a satisfied expression and walked toward the car. They looked like a perfect couple.When she was getting in, Alex held his hand over her head to keep her from bumping it against the frame.A cab pulled up beside me.The driver rolled down his window and asked where I was headed.Watching their car pull away, I said evenly, "Follow that car."The driver followed their car with practiced ease, keeping a steady pace.The car stopped outside the hottest date-night restaurant in town, a place that was all over social media.It was where I had planned to su
Read more
Chapter 2
So every year, while I spent my birthday alone, he was celebrating Quinn's with her."Mr. Feinn really goes all out, and that's not even everything. He books an entire fireworks show every year, just for Ms. Bayer's birthday."As soon as she finished speaking, golden sparkles burst into the dark sky.Everyone in the restaurant looked up to watch.Watching the dazzling display, I felt as though the whole evening was a cruel joke.A couple of days earlier, I had seen online that the restaurant had a fireworks show.I had eagerly booked this table with the hope that Alex would spend my birthday with me for once.I had never imagined that the fireworks I was so excited to watch with Alex were a birthday surprise he had arranged for Quinn.Fireworks continued to burst overhead.As the crowd cheered, Alex slipped an arm around Quinn's waist.He leaned down and kissed her forehead.With the fireworks lighting up the sky behind them, they looked like the perfect couple.Without a f
Read more
Chapter 3
Alex froze and sniffed at his clothes.With an apologetic look, he took out a gift box and handed it to me."I picked this out just for you. Don't be mad, okay? Next year, I promise I'll clear my schedule and spend your birthday with you."I was about to tell him we were through when his phone rang.He answered immediately.His eyes lit up. I had never heard him sound so excited."Really? You've made up your mind? I'll come see you right away."After hanging up, Alex let his smile fade and turned to me."Something urgent has come up with an important client. I need to go see her. I'll be home later."Before I could say anything, he walked out without a moment's hesitation.The apartment fell silent.A client?I scoffed. His so-called client had to be Quinn.After a moment's thought, I went outside, got into my car, and followed Alex.I was no longer the pathetic girlfriend desperate to prove that I mattered to him.I needed more evidence to finally end the relationship I
Read more
Chapter 4
I took a deep breath to compose myself. Then, I looked her in the eye and said coldly, "I'm done with Alex. You can have him."My indifference annoyed Quinn."Stop acting like you're above it all. If you really don't care, why were you eavesdropping outside the door?"She suddenly grabbed my arm."We're going to make him choose, right here in front of everyone. Maybe you'll finally get the message."Quinn slammed the door open with a loud bang, making everyone turn toward us.Then, she went limp and fell to the floor.Alex rushed over in alarm and carefully gathered her into his arms.Before I could say anything, Quinn leaned against his chest and whimpered, "Alex, I was just talking to her, and she shoved me!"Alex gave me an impatient look."Cathy, apologize to her."I stayed where I was and calmly met his gaze."I didn't push her."I turned toward the security camera facing the doorway."There's a camera right there. Check the footage. You'll see what happened."Quinn
Read more
Chapter 5
I was back in the home I had left five years earlier. Mom rushed over and pulled me into her arms, overcome with emotion."Mom, I missed you so much.""I'm just glad you're home. I knew he wasn't right for you the first time I met him. You've finally come to your senses."When she accidentally touched the wound on my forearm, I cried out."Ow!"Mom immediately let go.I rolled up my sleeve. A bit of blood was seeping through the bandage on my forearm.She gently bandaged my arm anew."This is what I get for not listening to you. I want nothing to do with him ever again."When she heard what I had been through over the years, she was heartbroken and furious.I talked her out of confronting Alex."Mom, I lost the bet we made five years ago. But I'm not agreeing to this marriage to get back at Alex. I want a life of my own."Five years earlier, when Mom saw how determined I was to be with Alex, she had made a bet with me.If Alex fell in love with someone else or failed to pr
Read more
Chapter 6
Over the next few days, Joe helped me get familiar with the projects our families were developing together.Rumors that I had been dumped began spreading through our social circle.At a dinner party, a few socialites began fishing for details about my relationship with Alex.Joe immediately took my hand."Whatever she's been through, she's the woman I personally asked to marry me. She's my fiancée."He did not pry into my past. He simply stood up for me.So this was what it felt like to have a partner defend me without a second thought.A week later, Joe and I went shopping for my wedding dress.Meanwhile, as the days passed without my return, Alex began to feel uneasy.He tried calling me again and again, but each call went straight to the same automated voice."Sorry, the number you've dialed…"Alex began looking around the apartment.Everything that belonged to me was gone.Even the keepsakes from our relationship had disappeared.He searched every room. My shoes, clot
Read more
Chapter 7
For the first time, Alex pushed her away.Five years ago, he would have been thrilled.But now, all he could think about was me."But I don't feel that way about you anymore."Quinn stared at him in shock."What are you talking about? Every year, you leave Cathy on her birthday to plan extravagant surprises for me. She gets the gifts I don't want. You only started dating her because she looks like me."Alex shook his head.Even though he had indeed first asked me out because I bore a passing resemblance to Quinn, he had then gotten to know me and gradually realized that we were completely different people.I was quiet and even-tempered, while Quinn was outgoing and energetic.After five years together, he had grown used to having me by his side.Looking back, he could barely remember why he had wanted to be with Quinn in the first place.He finally realized that, somewhere along the way, I had become the one he loved."At first, yes. But then I realized she was nothing like
Read more
Chapter 8
"Mrs. Hale, I know I messed up. Cathy's your daughter. You don't want her spending the rest of her life in an unhappy marriage, do you?"Mom looked at him with disgust."Those five years with you were the unhappiest of her life. This is private property. I've called the police, and they're on their way."Alex brightened at the sight of me and rushed to tell me how he felt."Cathy, it took losing you for me to realize you're the one I love."I took a small step back, keeping my distance.The moment he saw me pull away, Alex panicked."From now on, I'll be there for your birthday, Christmas, and every special occasion. Can we please get back together?"I looked at him, unmoved."No. Quinn's the one you want to be with."He looked as though he'd expected me to bring up Quinn."I admit I told her I wanted to be with her. But that was five years ago. If I wanted her, why would I have stayed with you this long?"I could not help laughing."For five years, you used the same excus
Read more
Chapter 9
The next morning, Alex had nearly a thousand red roses delivered to my house. The enormous bouquet almost blocked the entire entrance.He stood there and refused to leave."Cathy, I know this can't make up for the way I hurt you. But I know you're only marrying Joe Clark for your family's business. I can't stand by and watch you give up your happiness for them. "Let's get back together. I promise I won't take you for granted this time."I looked at him calmly. My tone was cold and distant."Alex, some mistakes can't be undone, and once you've lost someone, you've lost them for good. All you're doing now is making my life harder. Please leave me alone and let me move on."Alex stared at me in disbelief.I ignored him, turned away, and headed to the office to take care of the family business.The days flew by. Soon it was time for my wedding to Joe.Long, dark wooden tables stood in neat rows on the private estate's stone terrace. The guests were relatives and allies of both fa
Read more
View More
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status