The Kid's New Mommy Wish: Daddy Said Yes novel Chapter 2

The hospital director was in an unusually good mood and even forced her to take the afternoon off so she could properly celebrate her birthday.

Elina walked out of the hospital, feeling hollow and lost.

She checked her phone more than once. Even a single birthday message from Jack or Jaslyn would have made her happy. But no one remembered.

She wandered the streets aimlessly. Ding. Her phone buzzed. She opened it eagerly, only to find it was a birthday coupon from a shopping app.

Staring at the screen, her eyes filled with tears.

She wasn't the type to get sentimental. She quickly pulled herself together and called her parents. "Mom, Dad, want to grab dinner tonight? I'll book a place."

There was a long silence on the other end before a heavy sigh came through.

"Lina, I know you're upset that today Elowyn and Jack are celebrating Jaslyn's birthday, and you want to make her uncomfortable, but she's your sister. Can you really bring yourself to do that? Think about it. If you hadn't gotten pregnant before marriage, the one married to Jack would have been Elowyn... Don't you see? Jack never loved you. Even after having a kid together, his heart still belongs to Elowyn... Lina, I'm begging you. Let them be together."

So this was how her parents saw her.

All she wanted was to have dinner with them. All she wanted was someone to spend her birthday with. Every bit of hope turned to ashes. Something inside her shattered completely.

Elina listened quietly. Was she hurt? She didn't even know anymore. Maybe she had gotten used to it.

Her parents had always favored Elowyn growing up. They constantly reminded her she was two years older, so she should give in to her sister. Whenever Elowyn was upset, it was always Elina's fault. If making Elowyn happy meant letting Elowyn hit her, their parents would even hold her down so Elowyn could get her anger out.

They never denied her material things, but they never once cared about her feelings.

Just like her husband and daughter now. Did it still hurt? Maybe once. Now she was numb.

Her stomach grumbled in protest. She found a small diner on the side of the street and went in, only to realize it was the same one she and Jack used to visit during college. The moment she stepped inside, the owner and his wife recognized her and welcomed her warmly.

They served her a huge burger with way more meat than usual. The owner's wife smiled and said, "It's been so long! You must've missed this. Eat up while it's hot. By the way, did you end up with that handsome guy you used to come here with?"

After all these years, the owner's wife still remembered Jack.

Elina's hand froze halfway to her mouth. "No."

The owner's wife let out a relieved sigh. "Good. You have no idea how many times I wanted to warn you about him. Sure, he looked good, but he was no good. I could tell he was just using you to get close to your sister. I wanted to say something back then, but I was afraid you'd be upset with me. Thank God you were smart."

The woman kept chattering on about people and events from the past.

Elina smiled faintly. Turns out, everyone has seen it clearly—my parents, friends, even strangers. Everyone but her, convincing herself that Jack had only changed because she was too busy.

On her way home, she happened to see Jack's car.

Jack was driving, and Elowyn sat in the passenger seat. They were laughing and exchanging glances full of intimacy, like a couple in love.

Their daughter was asleep in the backseat, her little belly peeking out from under her shirt.

Elina instinctively pulled out her phone. She was about to call Jack, but she stopped herself and hung up. She shook her head. She shouldn't interfere anymore.

The nanny sighed and didn't press further. Upstairs, Elina listened to Jack's dismissive tone and smiled bitterly. He seemed to forget that just a few months ago, he had thrown Elowyn a grand birthday party. What had he said back then? Every birthday is important for a woman.

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