The Widower I Never Meant to Be

Sarah touched Luke's tiny face, seemingly kind, but then, she pried his fingers off her one by one.

"Luke, be a good boy. Your father can celebrate it with you."

I picked up the wedding ring and looked at her, suppressing the anger in my tone. "Stella, before Sarah passed away, she promised she would spend one birthday with Luke. Couldn't you just pretend to fulfil your sister's wish, or pretend to show some pity for him by pretending to be his mother, just for his fifth birthday?"

My brother-in-law, Greg, appeared at this moment and said hostilely, "Michael, I'm sorry that your wife passed away. I'm also sorry that Luke has lost his mother, but you can't just steal my wife in front of Nina and me."

Sarah furrowed her brows as if about to turn me down. However, when I met with those indifferent eyes, she looked away shiftily. She was also taken aback when her eyes landed on the wedding ring.

She pursed her lips and said, "Honey, Michael is just looking out for his child. Luke is about to have his birthday. As his aunt and uncle, we should celebrate his birthday."

Then, she looked at me and said, "Michael, as your wife's younger sister, I'll help her fulfil her dying wish. I'll be with Luke for his fifth birthday."

I snorted sardonically.

Ever since she started taking over her younger sister's identity, she had been constantly emphasizing how she was Sarah's younger sister.

I threw the wedding ring into the bin. "Alright, then. I hope you don't go back on your word."

Luke beamed instantly when he heard Sarah's response. He immediately started discussing what to do and eat on his birthday.

All I felt was heartbreak for him. Sarah was his mother, yet he had to beg her to celebrate his birthday with him.

Sarah did not only dump me–she also abandoned her only flesh and blood.

I could barely suppress my emotions, so I quickly headed back to my room. Luke noticed my sadness, so he ran over and held my hand, saying, "Daddy, don't be sad. I'll always be here.

"I know that Mommy no longer wants to be my Mommy. I also know she doesn't want to celebrate my birthday. I-I just thought of seeing her for the last time. Perhaps after this, we'll never see her again…"

I hugged my son–my kind, understanding boy–tighty. "I'm sorry, Luke. I'm not sad. I'm just…"

'Heartbroken for you.'

How pathetic was it to crave love from a mother who would rather fake her death to abandon her husband and son?

Still, I could not tell Luke that his mother no longer loved either of us, so he should not have his hopes up. He might be less sad if he did.

I could not ask him this, so I secretly prayed Sarah could find it in her to give Luke a final good memory worth remembering.

After his birthday, we would no longer bother her.

On the evening of Luke's birthday, Luke dressed up in his favorite clothes. He personally made a hazelnut cake, eagerly waiting for Sarah to come home.

That day, it was only Luke and me at home. Even my in-laws, Richard and Barbara, were not home.

Richard and Barbara only had Sarah and Stella. Both sisters, worried about their parents, decided to live with their parents even after marriage.

I called Sarah a dozen times, but no one picked up. I kept calling until she switched off her phone.

When it was almost midnight, the light in Luke's eyes had long gone out.

I bit my lip and asked, "Maybe everyone's busy tonight. Why don't we cut the cake tomorrow?"