Aria's POV.
The living room glowed softly under the fairy lights Aria had strung across the ceiling that evening.
A small strawberry cake sat in the middle of the dining table, lopsided, with two candles flickering brightly.Laura tugged at
Aria's skirt, pointing toward the direction of the balloons."Yaaay! Pwetty!" She squealed.
Luca toddled over, clutching a stuffed bear, eyes wide as he stared at the door. "Mama! Is papa not coming?"
Aria curled her fingers into a fist.She tried to smile, not to disclose the disappointment already burning inside of her.
Andrea had promised to make time today for the kids' birthday.
Even if she looked worried, she didn't really take it to heart.
She had been the only one doing that role as a parent.
Luca and Laura weren't old enough, but they were sharp and sensitive.
She had gotten home early to make sure she made arrangements for the birthday.
The last birthday the kids celebrated, he wasn't there, and he didn't bother to talk about it.It passed, just like that.
They didn't argue about it, she had always been considerate toward him.
The pain she felt every day was lesser than the one she had felt today.
Midnight approached and still no sign of his arrival.
Luca and Laura were already nodding their heads to sleep, almost falling from their seats.
Luca grabbed his mother's shirt, blinking his sleepy eyes at her."Mama, can we cut the cake now?"
Laura was already half way asleep.She checked her screen again, 12:30. a.m.
Andrea didn't show any sign of arrival.It didn't matter anymore.
He already gave them a response by staying silent.
She swallowed hard and nodded, forcing her voice to be calm."Yes, baby. We can cut it now."
Aria stood, lifting Laura into her arms. Her head fell against her shoulder as she breathed slowly.
Luca climbed onto the chair, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
His eyes never left the door, not for a fleeting second.
Aria placed a knife at the middle of the cake as her hand vibrated slightly.
The candles were almost burned out now, dripping wax on the cake."Do you want to make a wish, honey?" Aria whispered.
Luca closed his eyes, his lips moved soundlessly.
Aria didn't bother to close, she already knew that making a wish was a waste of time.
It wouldn't change anything.
She blew out the candles for them.
The room felt heavy after that. It felt empty and cold.
As if it was mocking the wound she carried in her chest.
Aria carefully cut out a small slice for Luca, making sure she didn't wake Laura.
Luca ate slowly, crumbs sticked to his lips as sleep finally took him.
He leaned to Aria's side, she wrapped her arm around him, breathing in a familiar scent of baby soap.
By the time she put them into bed, it was almost one in the morning.
She sat slowly on their bed, watching their chest rise and fell.
That was when she finally felt the pain. It came sharply, piercing her heart.
The promise Andrea made kept replying in her head."Don't worry. I won't miss it."
Aria pressed her fingers into her palms, until her knuckles turned white.
To her, it was normal.
Their marriage had always been fragile, what was she expecting anyway.
But tonight hurt differently because it wasn't just her he had disappointed.
When she left the children's room, she didn't turn off the lights.
She had probably forgotten or just didn't want to.
The fairy lights still hung over the room, the balloons still danced on the ceiling.
She walked along the hallway, down to the balcony, grief-stricken.
The air kissed her skin, making her fold her arms around herself.
Aria kept looking at the door, expecting or maybe hoping.
Her eyes hadn't left her screen.
The phone kept buzzing, but it wasn't from Andrea's message.
She didn't know whether to call him or just wait.
Maybe if he comes back, he would give them an explanation like he always did.
She finally faced her screen down on her body as she sat on a chair.
"I'm so sorry honey," she whispered to herself as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I couldn't give you a good dad, I… I'm so sorry I…"Aria didn't realize she was crying until her breath hitched.
She sat on the balcony, hand braced against the wall as her shoulder shook silently.
She didn't want to wake the kids up, she had always cried silently over the years.
Aria had learned how to control the pains and humiliations.
A small shuffle broke the silence."Mama?"She turned.
Luca stood barefoot at the doorway, hair tousled, eyes still heavy with sleep.
Her heart clenched, she wiped her face quickly."Why are you crying?" He asked in a small voice.
Aria bent down immediately and patted his hair.
"Honey, you're supposed to be in bed, why are you here?"
He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes said everything.
"Come here sweetheart, it's cold. Let's get you to bed."
"Don't cry," he stepped closer, lifting his hands to her cheeks.
His words shattered whatever little strength she had left.
Luca yawned, as sleep tucked him back.
She carried him back to the bed. She turned to leave but Laura grabbed her skirt.
"Mama… papa's not coming back. Can you stay with us?"Laura's words sent chills down her spine.
"Yes, baby." She whispered, lying down between them.
When they finally fell asleep, she reached for her phone.
It connected on the first ring. "Hello," his voice came cold and mean, as it had always been.
She hesitated for a moment. "You didn't come home for the children's birthday."
"They fell asleep waiting for you."He paused. "Sorry, I was in a business meeting, I couldn't meet up."
"Why didn't you call to let me know?" She said, adjusting Luca's hair."
I don't get to take orders from you," he snapped. "I need to rest. It's been quite a day for me."
But then, a familiar voice came over the phone."Honey, I'm cold. Can you come cuddle?"
Aria froze, her lungs burned so hot. The words pierced her chest like a sharp needle.
Andrea had claimed he just ended a business meeting and needed to rest.Why was there a woman with him?