Chapter 5
The living room was pitch black, with only a sliver of dim light seeping out from the slightly ajar bedroom door, accompanied by hushed whispers.
“Gerald, will anyone find out about us?” A soft, sweet voice floated out from the room.
Even though I had mentally prepared myself, seeing it for real still caused an unbearable ache deep in my heart.
Gerald’s reassuring voice followed, “Darling, don’t worry. I promise no one will ever know. Tonight, you are the best birthday gift I could ever have.”
Listening to their conversation, a storm of mixed emotions swirled inside me and I felt
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Chapter 5
an urge to vomit.
All of Gerald’s family, relatives and his friends stood there frozen, the room plunged into a stunned silence.
Jonah, who was pushing the birthday cake, began to wear a peculiar expression. Why does this voice sound familiar?
Even without being able to see their faces, I could feel the questioning stares directed at me, as if they were all asking, weren’t we here to celebrate Gerald’s birthday? Why was there a woman’s voice coming from the room?
“Maybe it’s one of Gerald’s friends who arrived before us,” Gerald’s mother said, her tone uncertain and panicked.
Before anyone could speak further, I broke the silence, taking a step forward to push
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Chapter 5
open the bedroom door, smiling as I said, “Gerald, happy birthday!” The lights in the room flashed on.
Everyone could now see Gerald lying stark naked on the bed, while the woman beside him screamed, covering her face with the blanket and curling up in terror.
Outside the bedroom, there stood a crowd of thirty or so people dressed to the nines, holding a three–tier cake, ready to celebrate his birthday.
The room fell deathly silent, people exchanged uneasy glances.
The smiles on Gerald’s parents‘ faces stiffened into expressions of shock.
By this point, even the slowest among them could see clearly, Gerald had been caught in
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could see clearly, Gerald had been caught in bed with another woman.