The Silent Wife novel (Rachel and Justin) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Downstairs, Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide eyes.

“Your cake is so pretty, miss!”

After making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the children.

“Hold on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we do?”

Upon hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy Birthday!”

“We must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song!”

“Miss Rachel must close her eyes and make a wish!”

 

“Miss Rachel must blow out the candles!”

Shyly, Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such lengths.

Nonetheless, he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its listeners.

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

“You must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside Rachel.

When she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling eyes.

Immediately, Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the children.

“Remember to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing nearby.

Carrying their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was heartwarming indeed.

Underneath the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you, Julian.