Chapter 6

In the days that followed, Bradley never came home. Instead, it was Louise who made sure to keep Madeline updated. She sent her messages and photos at regular intervals. Some photos showed Bradley cooking in the kitchen with his back turned, others captured him playing piano for her, or helping tidy up her place. Louise intended to flaunt Bradley's devotion to her. Ordinarily, these images would have left Madeline indifferent, her heart untouched. But today, on Anthony's birthday, something shifted. As she gazed at the photos, a wave of grief washed over her. When Anthony was still alive, he had treated her with that same tenderness once. Since his passing, no one had loved her that deeply again. Madeline baked a cake and set it on the table, then opened Louise's Instagram feed once more. Memories of Anthony flooded her mind. When her eyes landed on Bradley's face, so eerily similar to his brother's, the ache in her chest deepened. She rested her head on the table and closed her eyes, letting her tears spill freely. When Bradley finally returned that night, he found Madeline asleep at the table, phone clutched in her hand, tear tracks staining her cheeks. He was caught off guard. When he came closer, he noticed the cake on the table. Madeline had remembered his birthday and even knew his preference for matcha. Growing up, Bradley had always shared his birthday with Anthony. Their parents had favored his older brother so openly that he never once had a cake meant just for him. After Anthony's death, birthdays simply ceased to exist. No one celebrated him. No one even remembered. In the years since, Bradley wasn't home this time of the year. He couldn't help but wonder if Madeline had been doing this for him every year. He eased into the chair beside her and accidentally nudged her phone. Glancing from the corners of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the photo on the screen. He picked it up carefully and opened her photo gallery. There were thousands of photos, all of him. There were snapshots of his back, his side profile, his smiles, and even shots of him deep in thought with his eyes closed. Bradley scrolled to the very beginning. The oldest photo was dated eight years ago, while the most recent was three years ago. At that moment, a strange sensation tightened his chest. There was astonishment, warmth, and a flicker of joy. Bradley had never imagined she'd loved him for so many years. Just then, Madeline stirred. When she saw her phone in his hands, she reached out to grab it back. Bradley, mistaking her reaction for embarrassment, said gruffly, "Who said you could celebrate my birthday? Don't you know I never do?" She froze, realizing he had misunderstood completely. Ignoring her expression, Bradley simply pulled the cake toward himself. He muttered, "Just this once. Don't do it again. Light the candles." Trapped, Madeline could only go along. She lit each candle with care, sang the birthday song, and sliced the cake for him. Her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at him. After all, he wore Anthony's face. So tonight, Madeline told herself, she was simply celebrating Anthony's birthday.