CHAPTER 2 — THE MAN WHO WALKED IN
CHAPTER 2 — THE MAN WHO WALKED IN
The front door opened.
Daniel stepped inside carrying a bouquet of white lilies and a small gift bag.
He stopped.
The smell of vanilla frosting filled the room.
Broken pieces of cake were scattered across the marble floor.
Emily was on her knees, quietly gathering shards of the ceramic cake stand with trembling hands.
Pink frosting streaked her sweater.
A thin cut on her palm left small drops of blood on the white napkin beside her.
His smile disappeared.
"What happened?"
No one answered.
His mother, Margaret, calmly sipped her tea.
"The cake slipped."
Emily lowered her eyes.
"It wasn't—"
Margaret interrupted.
"She became emotional."
Daniel looked from the shattered cake...
...to the frosting on Emily's face...
...to the untouched birthday candles lying beside the box.
He set the flowers down.
Very carefully.
Then he knelt beside his wife.
"Look at me."
Emily finally met his eyes.
May you like
She didn't have to say a word.
He already knew.
