Choosing Your Heart Over the Moon

The surging alcohol continuously assaulted my brain, causing my long-hidden emotions to collapse.

After vomiting for a while, my heart began to ache.

When I wiped away my tears and walked out of the restroom, James was standing at the door, with Emily behind him, his coat draped over her arm.

It was just like on my 22nd birthday, with them standing in front of me.

James didn't know that all my birthday wishes over the years had been about him.

At this moment, James' expression was ugly. "Olivia, how can you be so cheap! Do you think you can sleep your way to the top?

"I told you, the people I hate most in this life are you and your mother. Even if you sleep with all the shareholders of the company, I won't let you get a single thing that belongs to the Anderson family!"

I tried my best to stand upright, but how could I face what he was saying?

Pretending to be calm and with a smile, I walked up to him. I really wanted to ask, "James, can't you stop hating me?"

But what answer could I expect from him?

His mother, Abigail, died because of my mom. I could only say, "What I want, I deserve. How I get it has nothing to do with you, James."

I've seen those angry and hurt eyes many times, but each time it still shakes me to my core.

He even punched the wall.

I watched his lonely back, unable to calm down.

James, don't look back. There will no longer be an Olivia who loves you.

My phone chimed with a midnight message. My 28th birthday had arrived. In a daze, I realized my 22nd birthday had passed six years ago.

When I was seven, my birthday wish was for my parents to reconcile.

When I was eighteen, my wish was to get into the same university as James.

But every birthday wish over the years had fallen through.

Except for that one year abroad when my wish came true.

That year, I was in Lantis. On my birthday night, I got drunk with friends, and my longing for James intensified with the alcohol.

I wished to see him, even if just once.

I don't know if the candles cast a spell that night, but I really saw James at the entrance of my apartment building the next day.

He stood under the dim streetlight, a cigarette glowing in his hand. He looked travel-worn, tired but still the person I missed day and night.

James, I missed you so much.