I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 122

"Sophie?"

Before Sarah could even process what was happening, Mia eagerly blurted out the surprise. "Happy birthday, Grandma Sarah!"

With the little girl spilling the secret early, the group hiding in the kitchen had no choice but to step out. Sophie walked up to her mother carrying a birthday cake. "Happy birthday, Mom."

"You guys... oh," Sarah murmured, momentarily at a loss for words.

Surrounded by the young adults, she was guided to the dining table. Listening to them sing the birthday song, a whirlwind of complex emotions churned in her chest, though she kept a smile on her face.

They enjoyed the birthday feast and spent the afternoon chatting with Sarah.

It wasn't until Mia fell asleep on Jason's lap that Sarah scooped the little girl into her arms. Claiming she was tired too, Sarah said she was going to nap with Mia and told the others to go about their day.

Jason excused himself first, mentioning he would come back for Mia later. Gwen left alongside him.

Sophie went for a walk outside with Gavin. A heavy sense of disappointment lingered in her heart; her mother hadn't been nearly as happy as she'd hoped.

She had bought so many gifts, and Gavin and the others had all brought presents too. But her mother had merely offered polite thanks, lacking the genuine joy one normally felt when receiving something special.

"Was it a total failure?" Sophie asked Gavin wistfully.

"It was perfect. You put a lot of thought into the details. I'm sure she felt it. If she seemed down, it might be for a completely different reason."

Knowing Gavin was just trying to comfort her, Sophie forced a weak smile.

That was just how her mother was—never sharing anything with her. Always leaving her to guess.

She didn't even know what she could possibly do to make her truly happy.

Harold Harper's mood plummeted when he received a call informing him that a package had been rejected and returned.

It was a pair of the vintage red Mary Janes.

On the last day of the Memorial Day Weekend, his wife had dragged him out to go shopping with their daughter. He hadn't been in the mood, but while Eileen was trying on shoes, he accidentally spotted those red Mary Janes. They looked exactly like a style from thirty years ago.

Noticing his interest, the sales associate walked over and explained that vintage styles were trending, and these Mary Janes were currently very popular.

Thirty years ago, on the birthday after Sarah moved to Boston, he had bought her a pair just like them. When she left, she hadn't taken them with her.

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