For the fifth time since I’d married him, no one remembered my birthday.
While making dinner, I cooked an extra plate of shrimp pasta for myself.
After everyone had helped themselves, I had just picked up my fork when Matteo stopped me.
“Talia, don’t eat that. You know Sofia loves shrimp.”
My parents chimed in. “Exactly. You’re the older sister. Let her have it.”
I’d heard variations of that line for years.
I no longer had the energy to argue. I just nodded.
“Then can I have the leftovers?”
Matteo frowned. He set the entire platter in front of Sofia.
Then he casually speared a single asparagus stalk onto my plate.
“You probably snacked while you were cooking. Just have some vegetables.”
I froze, a sharp, sudden pain blooming in my chest.
It was Sofia’s least favorite vegetable.
And I was allergic to it.
“It’s my birthday,” I said, my voice tight.
“Can’t I have even a few bites of the shrimp I made myself?”
The table fell silent for a beat.
“Sis, this is all my fault,” Sofia said, though her hands didn’t move an inch.
“I’ll give you the shrimp right now!”
My mother cut her off. “Give her what?”
Matteo sounded irritated.
“Talia, you’re an adult. It’s just a birthday. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”
“If you want shrimp that badly, I’ll Venmo you a few hundred bucks. Go buy your own.”
Just a birthday.
But Sofia was only a year younger than me.
Every year on her birthday, Matteo booked restaurants.
He bought lavish gifts. He sent her money at the stroke of midnight.
Suddenly, the whole scene felt ridiculous.
I smiled.
“No need.”
“Matteo, let’s get a divorce.”
From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 09 Matteo staggered back a step, as if his legs had given out. Scene after scene flashed through his mind. Me, pale and gagging. Me, suddenly showing up at the hospital. And before that, the car window slowly rising between us. Then
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 08 He felt like he had forgotten something important. He couldn’t sit still in the hospital room. He got up, went outside for some air, and called the restaurant. “Sorry, sir. We haven’t seen a lady matching that description today.” After the call ended,
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 07 It wasn’t until I was on the plane that I truly believed I had left. When the flight attendant reminded us to turn off our phones, my screen lit up one last time. I glanced at the caller ID, didn’t hesitate, and powered the
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 06 The driver glanced back, startled. “But ma’am, the airport is in the opposite direction. Are you sure?” I nodded. “I’m sure.” On my phone, my mother was still sending messages in the family group chat. “Perfect. That nut shop Sofia likes
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 05 Sofia tugged at the edge of her blanket and said softly, “That place is forty miles away. Isn’t that too much trouble for my sister? It’s okay, I don’t have to have it.” “It’s no trouble.” Matteo gently took her hand, then looked up at
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 04 I laughed, and a tear slid down my cheek at the same time. He hadn’t asked about the flower. I picked up the pen and signed my name. “Okay.” He paused, as if he’d heard something odd in my voice. “Where are
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 03 It was late when Matteo finally came back to the room. I kept my back to him, my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. He walked to the bed, brushed the tip of my nose with his finger, and sighed. “Why are you
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 02 Their laughter drifted in from the other side of the door. I ignored it and opened the birthday gift a coworker had brought back for me from Singapore. A pair of orchid earrings. The only birthday gift I’d received. I had just
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From Now On I Grow Toward Spring Chapter 01 For the fifth time since I’d married him, no one remembered my birthday. While making dinner, I cooked an extra plate of shrimp pasta for myself. After everyone had helped themselves, I had just picked up my fork when Matteo stopped me. “Talia,
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