Chapter 10 Birthday Confession

Mandy was helped onto the stage. She started by thanking everyone for attending, then turned to Chase. “My daughter is perfect, and with such a wonderful son-in-law, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I have no wishes left—just hope everyone enjoys themselves tonight.” With that, she stepped down amid warm applause and admiration. The tall cake was pushed out. Originally, Mandy was supposed to cut it, but she hadn’t even made a wish. Naturally, the task now fell to Wendy. Just as Wendy was about to pull Chase on stage with her, Stella appeared from behind the crowd—dragging someone by the hand. “Sis, since today’s so special, why don’t you go up with Henry instead?” Stella beamed, nudging Henry toward Wendy. “To cut Mom’s birthday cake, it should be the person most important to her. Otherwise, how can they make a wish on her behalf?” Chase hadn’t wanted to be on stage to begin with, so now that someone else was more than willing to step in, he gladly handed the task over before Wendy could even look his way. He directly handed the knife to Henry. “Better not,” Henry said with a soft smile, looking toward Chase. “After all, he’s still the Quinn family’s son-in-law. If I suddenly go up there with Wendy, it wouldn’t be right. So many people are watching—it’d make Mr. Goodman lose face.” Stella shot Chase a look full of hostility. It was the kind of look someone gives when their secret’s been discovered—nervous that it might be exposed at any moment. She turned to Chase and said, “Some people have gotten a little too comfortable in their role and keep looking for trouble. But Henry is different. That role was his to begin with. If it hadn’t been for someone lying, scheming, and stealing, the title of the Quinn family’s son-in-law never would’ve gone to him.” There weren’t many people nearby, so their conversation didn’t draw too much attention. Wendy frowned and was about to speak when Chase stepped back and tilted his head up. “He’s not wrong. That title was never really mine to begin with. It’s just cutting a cake—it doesn’t mean anything. You can have whoever you want go up. The decision’s yours.” The cake knife, originally meant for Henry, was now solemnly placed in Wendy’s hand by Chase. Another choice. He’d known from the beginning that no matter which option was on the table, he wouldn’t be one of them. As long as Henry was around, Wendy would always choose him. Still, he couldn’t help it—he wasn’t ready to let go. Back when Henry went abroad, Chase was the one who stayed by Wendy’s side. He hadn’t even gotten a taste of what it felt like to win, and now he had to hand it all over? It felt like swallowing glass. His pride wouldn’t allow him to walk away so easily. So he wanted Wendy to make the choice one last time. If she chose him, maybe there was still hope between them. But deep down, he already knew what she’d do. “It’s just cutting a cake. Why make it so complicated?” Wendy frowned and turned toward the stage. Stella bumped Chase with her shoulder to make him move aside. Henry followed Wendy up the stage with a smile, and everyone below watched closely. “I knew it. As long as Henry’s in the picture, Wendy will always pick him.” “Her husband is literally right there. Choosing someone else in front of him… I don’t know. Henry’s definitely changed since coming back from overseas.” “Back then, he had a real temper. Anyone near Wendy would set him off. But now they’ve both been married, and Henry’s got a kid—he probably isn’t that petty anymore.” “Am I the only one who thinks Chase looks really pitiful?” “I feel that too. He’s still the Quinn family’s son-in-law, but Wendy brings another man up on stage for her mother’s birthday. That’s a slap in the face.” No matter what the others whispered, Chase kept his eyes on Wendy. Once the cake was cut, the mood of the event shifted. The lighting dimmed and softened into something more romantic. Chase stepped back a few paces, moving out of the spotlight, making room for the true stars of the show. Someone—he didn’t know who—handed Henry a microphone. “Wendy, we’ve wasted so much time. We’re not as young as we were. I think it’s time we made a decision. I didn’t leave you on purpose back then, and now we shouldn’t care what others think…” Chase didn’t have the courage to hear the rest. He headed upstairs, found a room, and turned on the lights—only to realize it was Wendy’s old bedroom, the one she’d had before she got married. It was easy to tell. Every photo in the room was of Wendy and Henry. He felt like a stranger who had stumbled into a shrine of an old love story, standing there awkwardly as the evidence of their history surrounded him. I knew from the start… so why does it still hurt? Chase asked himself that as he stood still. The music downstairs changed too—more romantic than before. Even through the door, he could practically picture Wendy’s radiant expression as she melted into Henry’s arms. A look he had never seen on her face before. It was finally over. The divorce certificate was in hand. If he could just get through today, he could walk away clean. He’d just sat down on the bed, trying to collect himself, when the door suddenly swung open. He thought someone had caught him sneaking in—but as the hallway light spilled in, he saw Stella’s face appear. “You saw it, didn’t you? Henry confessed to my sister, and she said yes. From now on, you’re nothing. You need to leave the Quinn family and give Henry his rightful place.” “We’re already divorced. There’s no point in saying this now.” Stella scowled. She still refused to believe Chase had really agreed to the divorce. “If you agreed to it, then you must’ve gotten something in return.” She stepped closer to him. “All these years, even if it wasn’t from my sister, the money my mom gave you was plenty. And for you to finally agree to divorce, you must’ve gotten even more. Chase, you really haven’t changed at all.” Chase rubbed his temples, tired. He’d had a couple of glasses of champagne downstairs, and the alcohol was hitting him now. His mind was full of Wendy. They’d spent years together. How could he just move on like that? He’d gritted his teeth and walked away from the woman he’d once loved. Now he had to watch her find happiness with someone else, and on top of that, deal with Stella’s mockery. No one could take that kind of humiliation. “You know what I’m like. If you really don’t want me to leave your sister, then keep talking. I can drive the price up as high as I want—until she can’t afford me anymore, and she’ll give up on the divorce herself.” “You!” Stella glared at him. Chase leaned in slightly, staring her down. “You know I’d do it.”