Chapter 108: What a Turnaround
After being away on a business trip for three days and two nights, Sophia received a warm welcome from the children upon her return. Not only was there delicious food, but also a cake.
Vincent helped to bring out the cake and placed it on the table.
"Before we eat the cake, we need to light the candles," Emma said with a sense of ceremony as she inserted the candles.
As Vincent held a lighter to ignite the candles, Ethan ran to turn off the lights.
Suddenly, the room was engulfed in darkness, but within the darkness, the flickering yellow light of the candles created a warm atmosphere.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
The two little ones suddenly started singing the birthday song, and Sophia joined in as well.
This time, it was Vincent who was taken aback. What a big turnaround.
"Happy birthday, godfather!" Ethan and Emma both hugged Vincent.
Vincent finally realized that today was his birthday.
"I knew you would be too busy to remember," Sophia smiled mischievously, much like Emma usually did when playing pranks.
"Godfather, make a wish," Emma urged.
Vincent's heart was filled, much like being stuffed with marshmallows.
The feeling of being remembered by others was so wonderful!
He closed his eyes and made a wish: he hoped his confession would be successful!
The two little ones blew out the candles with Vincent, and Sophia turned on the lights.
"When Emma said she wanted to buy a cake during the day, I thought it was for you," Vincent chuckled innocently.
"Godfather, you're silly, forgetting your own birthday," Emma made a funny face.
"It's godfather who's silly," Vincent patted Emma's head. "How about godfather cuts you a big slice of cake?"
"I want the biggest one."
To Sophia, Vincent was like her own family. She was an only child and had never experienced the feeling of having siblings, but Vincent took care of her in every way and helped her in her most difficult times. She felt closer to Vincent than to her own older brother.
So every year, Sophia never forgot Vincent's birthday.
Back in the country M, she used to celebrate Vincent's birthday with him through video calls with the two kids. Now, she no longer needed to rely on video calls.
While eating the cake, Sophia and the two little ones took out their presents and gave them to Vincent.
Today was undoubtedly the happiest birthday Vincent had ever had.
On his handsome and mature face, there was nothing but joyous laughter.
Unfortunately, happy moments are always fleeting, and now it was time to part.
"Sophia, could you walk me out?" Vincent suddenly asked Sophia.
Sophia sensed that he had something to say privately.
Vincent had never asked her to see him off in the past.
"Ethan and Emma, be good and go take your baths. Mommy will walk with Godfather."
"Okay," Sam responded in unison.
Sophia escorted Vincent downstairs. The elevator was quiet, and Sophia wondered if Vincent had encountered any difficulties. She thought about it throughout the journey, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't understand what Vincent wanted to tell her: a confession!
Sophia was completely bewildered.
They stood in front of the car. Vincent nervously clutched his clothes. He, who always prioritized stability, was for the first time unable to control his emotions. His face turned red.
He lowered his head, unable to meet Sophia's gaze, but was filled with anticipation.
"I no longer want to be Ethan and Emma's godfather."
"Sophia, I've always treated them as my own children. Are you willing to let me be their real father?"
Sophia's mind was momentarily in chaos but quickly regained clarity.
"Vincent," she opened her mouth, "I'm sorry."
Upon hearing these three words, Vincent froze.
"I didn't know you liked me for so long. It's my fault for not noticing," Sophia's tone remained calm, her pace neither fast nor slow, and her voice was very clear in the silent parking lot.
"Then, you..."
"I'm sorry," Sophia interrupted him, apologizing once again, "If I had realized it earlier, I would have told you sooner. Vincent ge, I've always considered you as my real brother, my family."
Vincent's face turned a little pale. His heart shattered as if it had been tossed off a cliff.
"I understand."
Vincent kept his head low throughout. Initially, it was due to nerves and shyness. Now, he did not want to embarrass himself further in front of Sophia. He hastily got into the car and drove away, regardless of whether Sophia had anything else to say.
Today was the happiest and most painful birthday he had ever experienced.
He had thought that Sophia would accept his confession.
But the reality proved that he had been slapped in the face.
"Mummy seems to have rejected the godfather, who left while feeling sad," Ethan analyzed what he saw for Emma.
Emma tilted her head, contemplating, "Why doesn't Mummy like godfather?"
She thought godfather was great—handsome and warm. He treated her and Ethan incredibly well, always fulfilling their requests and being gentle with Mummy too.
Moreover, godfather was a doctor who saved lives.
Ethan patted her shoulder. "Adults' emotions are something children won't understand."
Emma pouted, then became a little worried. "If Mummy rejected godfather, will he stop loving us?"
Ethan pondered, "I don't think so."
The two little ones watched the scene of Vincent's confession from the window sill. When they saw Mummy coming up, they quickly jumped off their chairs and put them away.
Sophia recalled every little detail between her and Vincent. Looking back now, Vincent had revealed his feelings in many ways, but she was completely focused on her two children and had never noticed.
Yeah, why would a man willingly do so much for a woman if it weren't for love? She was truly terrible. She hadn't even realized it all this time.
But she couldn't just accept Vincent like that. She was certain that she only had a familial bond with him, not romantic love. Forcing themselves together would be unfair to Vincent. Besides, she had long given up on remarriage.
Tonight, Sophia couldn't fall asleep.
After Vincent left, instead of going home, he went to a bar. He never drank alcohol, but tonight he downed glass after glass of whiskey. The bartender was taken aback by his drinking behavior and tried to dissuade him, but Vincent acted as if he didn't hear and kept urging the bartender to pour more.
Sigh, another man hurt by love, seeking solace in alcohol.
In fact, she should have known. Sophia was deeply wounded by Gabriel, so how could she easily move on and start a new relationship?
Vincent let out a bitter laugh.
"Big brother, huh."
He didn't want to be a big brother at all!
"Brother, I'm all alone," a beautiful woman sat next to Vincent.
The word "brother" triggered something in Vincent. Numb from the alcohol, his emotions suddenly erupted. He pushed the woman who had approached him away and shouted, "I don't want to be your brother!"
Caught off guard, the woman fell to the ground.
She was a regular customer at the bar and had a group of friends there. When they saw her being mistreated, they all gathered around, ready to seek revenge.
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