Chapter 2

The cake I had painstakingly made for four hours was completely ruined, all messed up with forks.

My name, which I had carefully spelled out with dried blueberries, was scooped out whole, smeared together with the cream-covered “Happy Birthday” card.

Scarlett took a bite and threw it directly into the trash can.

“What is this disgusting thing? It’s awful, so much worse than what our Michelin chef makes!”

“You’re just picky.”

Gordon complained, but his eyes were full of indulgence. “If you can’t eat it, just throw it away. I’ll have Kate make you another one.”

“Okay, then it has to say in cream, ‘Gordon will be Scarlett’s dog for life’!”

“Who told you to steal Mom and Dad’s love the moment you came back, and always go against me for this burden!”

Gordon, who used to be completely at odds with Scarlett and couldn’t stand anyone calling me a “burden,” had no reaction this time.

He just smiled, ruffled Scarlett’s head, and said helplessly:

“Alright, alright, you win, it’s all my fault, okay?”

They were intimate, as if no one else was around, making me feel like an outsider.

In truth, being an outsider wasn't wrong.

Gordon was Anthony and Vivian’s biological son, who had been separated from them.

Scarlett, though swapped at birth, had grown up in luxury in the William home, already forming deep bonds with Anthony and Vivian.

The day Gordon was reunited with his birth parents, they couldn’t bear to send Scarlett away.

From beginning to end, they were a family. I was the only extra one.

I woke up this morning and saw Gordon's Instagram post about him and Scarlett at the amusement park.

I knew then that he had forgotten my birthday again.

But even though I no longer wished for him to celebrate my birthday with me, why couldn't I even keep a cake?

The tears still couldn’t be held back, falling one by one to the floor.

Gordon frowned, instinctively reaching out to wipe my tears as he used to. “What are you crying about?”

Scarlett, however, suddenly let out a mocking laugh:

“He just ate your cake, is that really worth all this drama? You’ve been giving him attitude all evening!”

“I guess all your usual good behavior was just an act.”

“Gordon, you spoil her too much, that’s why she’s become so demanding.”

Gordon’s hand paused, then he pulled it back, his expression fading.

“This isn’t your old home. You eat and live at the William family’s expense, it’s just a cake. Don’t be so petty.”

Seeing the impatience in his eyes, my heart went cold.

The day Gordon was taken back by the William family, I didn't sleep all night.

I was happy for him, but also vaguely afraid of being left behind.

Noticing my emotions, he held me, promising again and again:

“I will never abandon Audrey. From now on, my home is your home.”

But now, he said, “This isn’t your old home.”

In his heart, I didn’t know when, but I had already become a burden.

“I understand.”

I nodded vaguely, hearing my own voice tremble:

“Gordon, I think I’ll move out after all.”