Chapter 119

Just as I was about to respond to Sophia, Mikaela stepped forward and asked, "Ms. Holmes, are you staying for lunch today?" "Yes," Sophia answered cheerfully and handed me a bag. I froze for a moment, clearly not expecting her to give me a gift. It seemed she remembered that today was my birthday. But her next sentence immediately plunged me into despair. "Joshua, this is the new shirt I had custom-made for Edison. Tomorrow, when it's warmer, please wash it and give it to him." I tightened my grip on the bag as the smile on my face vanished instantly. Sophia clearly didn't remember that it was my birthday. On what was likely my last birthday, she bought a gift for Edison. It was the height of irony. Things had come to this point, and yet I had still hoped she might remember my birthday. … Seeing the change in my expression, Sophia assumed it was because Joshua didn't want to wash Edison's shirt. Her brow furrowed even deeper, and she said, "Joshua, you said before that you'd do