The heavy rain had stopped by the time Justin Battleson and Charlotte Thompson returned to the villa.
It was already getting dark, so there was no sight of the sun breaking through the clouds to clear the sky. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NovelHub(.)net
Along the way, perhaps because she had seen Annie Anne and then Oliver Hudson, Olivia Thompson was somewhat downcast, and both Charlotte Thompson and Justin Battleson noticed.
"Annie must be tired today, too. Mommy will take you back to rest," Charlotte said tenderly as she stroked Olivia’s head.
Olivia responded with a sound and then obediently held Charlotte’s hand as they went upstairs.
However, when they opened the door to the children’s room, it was pitch black inside.
Olivia felt a bit scared and involuntarily tightened her grip on Charlotte’s hand.
But then she thought that she might have come back late, and her brothers and sisters were already resting, which made Olivia feel a bit guilty, as her return would surely disturb them.
Just then, a few faint lights appeared from the corner.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..."
The other children came over with a cake toward Olivia.
At that moment, Charlotte also turned on the lights in the children’s room and found that the room was already decorated to celebrate Olivia’s birthday today.
"Happy Birthday, Annie!"
Grace Thompson stepped forward, put a little crown on Annie’s head, and then led her to the cake held by Cyrus Thompson.
"Annie, make a wish!"
Olivia was still reeling from the surprise and looked somewhat dazed.
Seeing this, Hank Thompson couldn’t help but urge from the side, "What’s wrong, Annie? Didn’t you always say you wanted to grow up quickly before? Now that you’re a year older on your birthday, you seem to be a little uncomfortable."
Olivia pouted her lips, then clenched her fists in front of her, closed her eyes, and made her wish.
Annie wished that we could always be together.
Then Olivia opened her eyes and blew out all the candles in one breath, the children clapped their hands, and then rushed to pass the gifts they had prepared for Olivia.
"No, open mine first!"
"I’m older than you!"
"My gift is even bigger than yours!"
The children babbled in front of Olivia, each stuffing their gifts into her arms.
Olivia, holding these gifts, was somewhat unsteady on her feet.
"Okay, don’t scare your sister," Charlotte said as she took the things from Olivia’s arms and set them aside, then placed her own gift there as well.
She bent down and kissed Olivia on the forehead.
"Happy Birthday to our Annie."
Olivia bit her lip, her little nose slightly reddened, and her beautiful eyes, like glimmering glass, started to fill with tears.
"Don’t cry, baby; birthdays are meant to be happy," Charlotte wiped the tears from the corners of Olivia’s eyes.
"Annie, don’t cry, if you cry I might cry too," Grace said as she hugged Olivia, her voice carrying a hint of distress.
Olivia shook her head: "Annie is not crying, Annie is happy."
The displeasure she had felt earlier was now comforted away.
"Come on, let’s open the gifts," Grace said, cracking a smile as she led Olivia to where the gifts were piled.
As Charlotte watched Olivia, surrounded by the children, she felt a pang of sadness.
Olivia knew very well who her biological parents were, yet she couldn’t be by their side.
For a child of only five, that was the cruelest thing.