Chapter Nine

The faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla lingered in the apartment. Isabelle moved quietly through the small space, her hands busy and with a big smile on her face as she adjusted the streamers in Ryan’s favorite shades of green and blue. A felt banner stretched across the wall above the table, hand-stitched, uneven in its lettering:

“Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.”

The table wasn’t grand. But it was warm. A sugar-free banana-oat muffin, just how he needed it, sat gently on a ceramic plate, a single beeswax candle resting at its center.

She smiled to herself as she mixed a small dessert with his medicine. She couldn’t have him fainting and being traumatized on his own birthday, so to appease and excite him, she had mixed it with some dessert. Then, she called the boy over.

He walked to her sluggishly, clearly not as excited as she was about it. Once he got to her, she prodded him to take a small spoon of it. Afterward, she kissed him on the forehead and whispered,

“Happy birthday, baby. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

She smoothened her apron knowing Gregory must have arrived. He had to tend to a few things at the office so they had shifted the get together to early evening like this. She strode over to open it but once she did, her smile froze.

Gregory entered first, phone tucked between shoulder and cheek, and nodded at her in greeting as he carried some supplies in.

Behind him, heels clicked against the tile and that was what had made Isabelle freeze.

Tiffany.

“Hello,” She muttered with a smile as she strode in, arms cradling a glossy white cake box, gold ribbon tied like a gift.

Isabelle stood there for a couple of seconds before she collected herself, shut the door and turned back. She wanted to ask Tiffany why she had come but before she could get a word out, Ryan ran into Tiffany’s arms with a loud exclaim and the latter also exclaimed with a bright smile,

“Surprise!”

Isabelle had no choice but to keep quiet.

She strode toward Greg and asked with her voice lowered, “What’s she doing here?”

He looked toward Tiffany and Ryan playing before shrugging. “She wanted to celebrate with him so I let her.”

“I told you it was only family.”

“Isabelle,” Greg sighed, pausing what he was doing. “Let’s not do this again today.”

Isabelle went quiet. She strode back to the two and was about to keep a fake smile on to be polite to the guest but once she saw Tiffany stretch out the cake to Ryan, she immediately frowned.

Ryan gasped once he saw the cake box. His eyes widened, face lighting up.

“Whoa! That’s my favorite one!”

Before he could run forward, Isabelle stepped in, one hand gently pressed to the cake and collected it from Tiffany..

“No, Ryan. You can’t have that. You know it’s not safe.”

Then, she turned to Tiffany with a smile. “Thanks for coming and bringing a gift, Tiffany. But, Ryan can’t have cake.”

Tiffany blinked, all innocence written on her face.

“It’s just one slice. It’s his birthday.”

“Exactly,” Isabelle replied, her tone cool. “And on his birthday, he deserves to feel well.”

Tiffany’s smile didn’t break. “He deserves to feel loved too.”

Isabelle’s smile widened. But, she still didn’t agree.

She turned to Ryan and crouched in front of him. “You know how things get when you take sweet things, Ryan. We wouldn’t want you getting badly sick on your birthday. How about you eat the muffins I made for you?”

But, he clearly wasn’t impressed.

Instantly, he screamed, smacking her hand away.

“I hate you! You ruin everything! I want Mommy Tiffany!”

He slammed his fists onto the table, shaking it vigorously. The muffin toppled, the candle rolled and a quiet plop followed as everything hit the floor.

The room went quiet after that.

Gregory looked over from where he was and gave a bored sigh. Then, he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Maybe just a small—”

“No.” Isabelle looked up at him. “You don’t get to gamble with his life.”

He palmed his face and looked like he was about to lash out. But just then, the doorbell rang again.

All of them looked at one another with confusion flickered across their faces. Isabelle walked to the door, slower this time.When she opened the door, her mouth curled into an ‘oh’.

Riven stood at the door, his hand just about to press for the doorbell again. Aimee stood beside him, fingers curled tightly around his hand.

“You came,” Isabelle said softly, surprise touching her voice.

Riven nodded once.

Aimee peeked up at her and walked forward without a word. She didn’t touch Isabelle but stood there staring at her with those beautiful amber eyes.

Isabelle’s expression softened. “I’m so glad you made it. Come in.”

Behind her, Tiffany watched from where she stood, her eyes lighting up once she saw who it was. She had heard about the influence Riven’s family had on the day they were called to school but couldn’t get the chance to speak to him which disappointed her. She had even asked her cousin who supposedly knew him to find a way to link them up but it seemed there was no longer any need for that.

Isabelle invited the father and daughter in and then, shut the door. Gregory walked forward wondering who it was, only to pause when he saw Riven.

“Gregory Torres,” He muttered, stretching a hand out to Riven with what Isabelle would describe as a fawning smile.

Riven’s voice was rather cool and monotone. “Riven Thorne.”

Their handshake was brief.

“Hello, Aimee.” Gregory greeted. Isabelle was surprised he recalled her name; he didn’t even remember their anniversary.

“Thanks for coming,” Isabelle said gently. “Let me get you something to drink.”

She guided them toward the table, her voice kind and body moving on autopilot.

When she walked past Gregory he gave her that mocking look. The one that meant: we’re the same. We both invited strangers.

She ignored him and settled the father and daughter in. Then, she went off to get them something to snack on.

Gregory stepped forward with a smile, looking at Riven. “I have a 100year old wine upstairs that I haven’t opened. I’ll bring it down.”

The other man didn’t respond as he went off, clearly uninterested in his business.

Both Riven and Aimee’s attention were on Isabelle as she dished something out for them.

No one noticed the way Tiffany stared at them. Her eyes glinted as though she thought of something devious and crouched beside Ryan. She scooped a spoon of the cake and whispered with that endearing favorite aunty smile. “Just one bite. Don’t tell Mommy Isabelle.”

Ryan hesitated, his eyes lighting up. He looked at Isabelle as though he worried she’d be mad. But, the cake was too tempting so he opened his mouth and ate that spoonful.

Once he took it, Tiffany gave a triumphant smile. Her gaze flicked to Isabelle, then to Ryan who had gone to settle at the dining. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She didn’t think she had done anything wrong. After all, what kind of mother deprives her son of cake on his birthday?"

Isabelle had finished dishing out for them. Tiffany had also settled at the table and was currently scrolling through her phone. Ryan sat next to Aimee looking at her with curious eyes. Isabelle looked up; realizing Gregory was taking too long to get the wine. She was just about to go upstairs and call him when—

THUD!

Isabelle turned. Her breath caught.

Ryan.

He had slipped onto the floor, eyes wide, hands twitching. His mouth was open but no sound came out as he convulsed.

“RYAN!” She screamed.