Gone Quiet, Gone Love novel Chapter 24

The voice note ended and automatically replayed, over and over.

"Today's your birthday, Nester. I made a cake. I'm waiting for you to come home so we can eat it together.

"I'll be waiting, no matter how late it is."

On the countless birthdays Nester had forgotten, Sabrina had waited alone with the cake until deep into the night, dawn, or until all that was left for her to eat by herself was the melted frosting and hardened cake.

Tears kept spilling from the corners of Nester's dry eyes as he listened to the voice note. He stared at the ceiling as his gaze slowly unfocused, but the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly as if he had just remembered something unbearably beautiful.

With the last of his strength, he spoke soundlessly to the air, cold photo frame in his arms, and the looping voice note that would never receive a response. In a hoarse voice, he uttered, "Happy birthday… Sab…"

The words were barely audible and immediately dissolved into the cold air. In his arms, the photo frame slipped and landed onto the soft blanket with a dull thud.

From the old phone, Sabrina's gentle voice kept repeating, "I'll be waiting…"

Cold moonlight beyond the windows spilled in onto the empty bed, the wedding photo frame lying face down, and the old phone. The life monitor by the bed emitted a piercing, continuous beep as the ECG flattened into a single straight line.

There were no more fluctuations.

…

Under the same night sky, fireworks continued on a small island in the Centrum Waters.

Wrapped in Leo's arms, Sabrina looked up at the brilliant explosions of color filling the sky as a blissful smile curved her lips.

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