Page 133 of The Doll and The Domination

“The birthday boy shouldn’t be wearing a frown.”

My heart sinks to the bottom of my stomach. I blink. My mouth opens and closes repeatedly. The faces around me are beaming expectantly.

As if on cue, someone behind me lowers what looks like a brown pastry or a glazed cake to the center of our table. It has a melting white candle sticking out of the middle.

My eyes flick up to meet Skylenna. And suddenly, my vision isn’t so clear. It’s cloudy and warm. My heart melts into something gooey.

“Did you…?”

“We all did.” She grins. My sister looks back at me with so much love, so much kindness. I want to crawl under the table and die for every horrible thought I just had toward her.

She cares. They all care!

“Marilynn made the cake,” Skylenna adds.

A small hand pats my thigh twice. “Happy birthday, Niles.”

Is it hot in here? Is it humid and misting?

I don’t realize that I’m full-on crying until Marilynn wipes my cheeks.

“Make a wish before the candle wax ruins the cake!” Ruth pipes up.

I close my wet eyes, taking in a deep breath. I only have one wish that has always remained constant.

I wish for a life filled with love.

In a single huff, I blow out the candle and wait as Warrose cuts me a slice.

I dig in like it’s my last meal. The shell of the glaze tastes like maple syrup. It’s unique and tasty, and I’ve never loved a dessert so much in my life.

“How did you know?” I finally ask with a full mouth of sugary goodness.

Skylenna wipes her mouth, jerking her head in Dessin’s direction.

“It was…you?” I ask in both horror and delight, meeting Dessin’s dark brown irises.

“Don’t cream your pants over it.”

“But…you? Really?”

Dessin rolls his eyes, shoveling more food into his mouth.

I might cream my pants. I really might.

“How?” I lick my fork, watching Dessin intently.

“I went through your file in the asylum. When Skylenna noticed you were upset, I went through different scenarios until I landed on that one.”

He went through my file. Wow, what a little creep.

“You stalked me?”

Skylenna laughs, but Dessin just stares at me. Blinks.

“Not funny?” I ask.

“No.”

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