Two Days Before the Birthday

Ailine woke up, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps.

The dream had been far too vivid to be called merely a figment of sleep. In her mind, Owen was still there beside her: his faint smile, the warmth in his eyes, the hand that held hers as they laughed together in the amusement park. Ailine closed her eyes for a moment, trying to push away the pain that haunted her, but the memories clung stubbornly, haunting every moment of her consciousness.

“Miss Ailine! Time to change for the next photoshoot!” Emma’s voice suddenly echoed from the doorway.

Ailine looked up, startled. “Ah… yes, just a moment!” she replied, wiping her still-moist face.

Emma’s gaze was sharp for a moment, then she frowned. “Miss… are you crying?”

Ailine shook her head quickly, forcing a faint smile. “No… I’m fine, Emma.”

But Emma didn’t buy it so easily. She stepped closer, peering at Ailine’s face. “Then why are there tear tracks on both of your cheeks?”

Ailine flinched, her hand instinctively touching her cheeks. Reflexively, she rubbed her fingers across them and felt the dampness.

Ah… she really had been crying.

Shame and sorrow blended together. She hid her face for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to steady herself before facing the day.

Emma swallowed hard. A strong urge rose within her to ask—about Owen, about the changes she had noticed in Miss Ailine recently. Some time ago, she had found Ailine in a very fragile state, and when she asked, Ailine had remained silent. Now, seeing Ailine so different—quieter, visibly tired though still working tirelessly—her heart ached to uncover the truth.

But Emma restrained herself. This was not the right moment. If it could be addressed later, it could wait. The important thing now was for Ailine to stay strong.

Emma smiled gently, as if she understood everything. “Miss Ailine, don’t be too sad. Your birthday is just two days away. You need to prepare a smile for your face, even if just for today’s photoshoot.”

Ailine returned a thin smile, almost bitter. Deep down, she knew this coming birthday would not be the same. Owen… his final words lingered in her chest, reopening old wounds.

She stood, calming herself, and followed Emma to the dressing room. Every step felt heavy, as though the ground beneath her feet resisted moving her forward.

The photoshoot began. Cameras captured her from every angle, flashbulbs igniting, and Ailine smiled—posed, projecting cheerfulness far from what she actually felt. She changed outfits several times: a long white gown, casual wear, a short pastel dress. Each garment, each pose, felt like a mere imitation of her once-joyful self.

Emma offered constant encouragement. “Beautiful, Miss! Look, everyone is smiling because you look stunning today.”

Ailine merely nodded. Her eyes occasionally drifted to the window, hoping to see a figure that would never appear.

Emma exhaled softly, a pang in her heart. She wanted to ask, to know what had changed Miss Ailine, but she knew it wasn’t the time. She swallowed her questions, reminding herself that her role was to support Ailine, not to reopen old wounds.

Time passed. Morning turned to afternoon, afternoon into evening. The photoshoot ended around eleven at night. The studio lights dimmed, leaving only the sound of their footsteps as they left.

On the way back to the apartment, Ailine sat by the window, leaning her head against the glass, taking a deep breath. A decision began to form in her heart: she would not celebrate her birthday like she had in the past.

There would be no warm laughter, no Owen gazing at her tenderly. Only memories that scorched her heart, leaving wounds that were hard to heal.

She recalled the final moments of her last birthday with Owen. After the joys of the amusement park, after all the laughter and sweet kisses, that night had come without warning. Owen had taken her home, and in front of the grand house, he said, “We should stop.”

Ailine screamed silently inside. She called for Owen until her voice was hoarse, holding back tears that streamed endlessly. Every word, every hope, seemed to be thrown into the wind that would never bring Owen back.

That birthday had been the most painful day of her life. She closed her eyes, letting the memories wash over her heart once more.

Her sobs broke free, audible enough for Emma to hear.

Emma froze, listening to such heart-wrenching cries. In all the years she had served as Ailine’s personal assistant, this was the first time she had seen her cry like this—shaking, chest tight. The way Ailine cried could make anyone who saw it choke back their own tears.

Emma didn’t dare ask why. Even in the hotel room, she could not force the words out.

Ailine quickly wiped her tears as soon as the car stopped in the apartment parking lot. She acted as though nothing had happened, making Emma even more hesitant to ask questions. Ailine’s acting skills were extraordinary, but Emma knew those tears were real.

In Ailine’s room…

Her hands traced the small table beside her bed, touching the little gift box Owen had once given her. Each gift had been a symbol of their love—modest, simple, yet full of meaning. Now, the box was a bitter reminder that love had gone, leaving an emptiness that could not be filled.

Ailine looked down at the hands still holding the box. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the tears she had restrained since morning slowly fell again.

Emma, who had decided to stay overnight, knocked lightly on the door, entering with a gentle smile. “Miss… would you like to talk?”

Ailine raised her soft voice. “No, Emma. I… I’m just tired.”

Emma studied her for a moment, then sat beside her. “It’s okay to feel sad. Even the strongest people cry sometimes. You know, Miss, your birthday is in two days. You must stay confident—not for anyone else, but for yourself.”

Ailine gave a faint smile. The world felt hollow around her. She realized this upcoming birthday would not be as beautiful as before. Everything lovely now seemed like an unreachable shadow.

“I understand, Emma. Thank you for always supporting me. Rest well, because tomorrow we have an early schedule.”

“All right… Listen, if anything happens, please call me immediately.”

“Yes, yes…”

Emma left the room.

Ailine gazed at the small box again—the one from Owen on her eighteenth birthday. More than ten years had passed, and she had yet to open it. She didn’t even know what was inside now.

“I should hate you, for hurting me even after more than ten years… I should have thrown away all memories of you, including this gift… Tch, never mind throwing it away… I can’t even bring myself to open it.”

Yes… deep in her heart, she knew Owen still existed there. Somehow, he had embedded himself into her soul. He could not simply be erased, no matter how strong her resolve.

Emma watched from the side, her heart conflicted. She wanted to ask about Owen but held herself back. At this moment, all she could do was stay by Ailine’s side, supporting her fragile heart.

Elsewhere, far from her, Owen stared at the same calendar, noting the date. Two days until Ailine’s birthday. His chest tightened, but he knew one thing: leaving was the only way to avoid returning, to prevent adding more pain.

Two people who loved each other, both wounded, chose to bear their pain… alone.

“She cannot be mine, not like ten years ago…”

Owen picked up the approved volunteer assignment letter. Tomorrow, he would leave with twenty other medical personnel—eight doctors and twelve nurses. Twenty-one people in total, including himself.

“Elliot has already received the scholarship and left for Germany three days ago to join his professor’s research. He’ll be fine. He may seem fragile, but he’s actually a strong little brother… So I can go with peace of mind, right?”

Owen glanced at the calendar again, his heart heavy. Two days until Ailine’s birthday, yet he chose the right path: staying away from her. The only way to avoid adding more wounds.