It was my birthday. I hadn't told a soul. After work, I walked home alone and stopped at the convenience store downstairs for a cup of instant noodles.
When I got to my floor, Valentine was standing outside my door, holding a cake.
"How do you know where I live?"
"You let it slip once."
I unlocked the door. He followed me inside, glanced around. "It's small, but you keep it nice."
He set the cake on the table and lit a candle.
"Make a wish?"
I stared at that single flame, and my mind drifted to my last birthday. I'd spent it with Clay. He bought me flowers that day and told me I was the only woman he'd ever love.
When those flowers wilted, I threw them out.
"Lydia?"
I snapped back and blew out the candle.
"What'd you wish for?"
"Can't tell you."
He smiled and pulled a small box from his pocket. "Here. Birthday present."
Inside was a bracelet with a tiny pendant engraved with the word Peace.
"I hope from here on out, everything is peaceful for you."
I looked up at him.
He didn't look away. He just held my gaze, his eyes bright and steady.
"Valentine."
"Yeah?"
"Did you know I had a miscarriage?"
He went still for a moment.
"Yeah."
"And you're still here?"