Chapter 34. The Bigger Picture

Kailani’s POV

[Flashback]

“Make a wish!” Bruce squealed as he brought the cake in a steel tray having only one candle on it towards me. It was still so early, the cock hadn’t crowed yet. I had woken up after I heard my door crack open a moment ago and I saw him coming in with my cake.

It was my birthday after all and Bruce had gone out of his way like he usually did to put a smile on my face. He had succeeded every time in the last eleven years.

He was the closest thing I had to a father since I never knew mine and I couldn’t ask my mother where my father was because she died while giving birth to me.

“Come on, Lani, make a wish.” he prodded.

My eyes shut, while I wore a goofy smile on my face, “I wish next year will be better.” I mumbled to myself and when my eyes fluttered back up, I blew off the candlelight on the cake. Bruce clapped and cheered.

***

My eyes flew open, knowing that this like the many others I’ve had this week