Every Year Brings Spring

To celebrate my sister Diana's birthday, my fiancé Vincent had booked the most luxurious five-star hotel ballroom in the city.

After the custom cake worth over thirty thousand dollars was cut, every single person at the party got a slice, including the cleaning staff.

Everyone except me.

Everyone gathered for a group photo, and the photographer took more than a dozen shots.

Only then did Diana point at me below the stage and call out,

"How come Natalie didn't come up for the photo?"

Only then did everyone notice me in the corner.

"Nat, that was my fault. I forgot to call you over when we cut the cake. I'm sorry I upset you."

Tears shimmered in Diana's wide eyes.

Her lips gleamed with the season's newest gloss.

Her whole face glowed, so delicate that even I felt sorry for her.

Vincent hurried over with a slice of cake and held it out to me.

"Here, take mine. It's Di's birthday today. Don't ruin it for her."

I knew he was only doing it to keep Diana happy.

But this time, I didn't take the cake.

Instead, I lifted my chin and asked in a clear voice,

"But today is my birthday too!"

Diana was my older sister, two years older than me.

But our birthdays fell on the exact same day.

For as long as I could remember, the star of every birthday celebration had always been Diana.

Even though I shared her birthday, I could only stand at the edge of the group photos, smiling awkwardly just to fill the frame.

My job was to clap along and sing "Happy Birthday."

The cake, the gifts, the wishes... none of it was ever for me.

I could make a wish only while Diana closed her eyes before the candles. In that brief moment, I would silently make mine:

To have my own birthday cake. To have a birthday celebration that was truly mine.

My fiancé Vincent knew about this wish.

But year after year, he kept pushing it off.

Last year, he said,

"Di just won an award for her design work. Let's celebrate that for her. I'll throw you a party next year."

The year before, he said,

"Di is turning thirty. Thirty is a milestone. It deserves a proper celebration. We'll do yours next year."

The year before that, he said,

"Di just went through a breakup and she's feeling down. Let the birthday party cheer her up!"

...

Every year, Vincent had a reason to make me wait until next year.

This was the sixth birthday since we'd been together.

And suddenly, I didn't want to wait anymore.

"This year is my thirtieth birthday. You said milestone birthdays deserve a proper celebration. I just got promoted last week. That's worth celebrating too.

"So why is Diana the star of this birthday again, and not me?"

Vincent hesitated for only two seconds before coming up with an excuse.

"Our wedding is next month. You'll be the star then, as the bride.

"Just let Di be the center of attention at this party. You're old enough to give in to your sister!"

He took my hand as he spoke.

I shook him off and pulled out the expired serum sample.

"I didn't even get a slice of cake, and this is what you gave me for my birthday? You couldn't even be bothered?"

Seeing Vincent's embarrassment, Diana rushed over, already unclasping the necklace as she walked.

"Birthday gifts are about the thought, not the price tag. Even if it's just a serum sample, it's Vincent's way of showing he cares. I love whatever Vincent gives me. Here, I'll trade you my necklace."

I looked at Vincent, and a tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

He knew perfectly well that I never wore jewelry.

What I cared about wasn't a gift or a slice of cake.

But Vincent walked over to Diana.

"Don't cry, Di. It's your birthday. You should be happy. This necklace was custom-made for you. Once it's on, you're not allowed to take it off.

"I'll make it up to Natalie later. She's always been understanding. She'd never get upset with her own sister over a present. Isn't that right?"

He turned back to me, pulling me into his arms with practiced warmth.

Just then, the emcee called everyone back to their seats for the band's performance.

The party continued. No one cared about the little scene in the corner.

When I turned around, Vincent was already seated beside Diana.

The two of them hummed along with the band, perfectly in sync.

The diamond at Diana's throat was enormous and blinding.

I squeezed the application for the international medical program inside my bag.

My mind was already made up. This only hardened my resolve.