Novel Storm
CHAPTER 74— SMILE FOR ME
CHAPTER 74— SMILE FOR ME
A sob climbed up her throat and her hands fell lifeless at her sides. “Today isn’t a happy day, Zayd…
how could you wish me a happy birthday?”
“It might be so, but it’s still your birthday, Quinn…how could I not wish for it to be happy?”
“Did you hear it? Did you hear what my father said?”
“I’ve known since last night when he just came…he told me everything and I then told him to tell you
the truth.”
“I’d been curious for a while now…” Quinn sniffled. “I’d questioned myself about this truth, buried my
head in multiple scenarios, but after finally hearing everything, I wish I hadn’t been curious…I wish I
was still clueless…I honestly wish he hadn’t said a word.”
“That’s cowardly…but I get it. Knowing the truth made it all the more painful for you, and I understand
why. However, you can’t keep living behind a lie, it’s time for you to face reality; no matter how harsh it
may be. I know you’re struggling, I know no matter how hard I try to make you happy, you’re not. I
wanted to make you feel like you belong here, but I doubt you do. It bothers me, Quinn…the fact that
you’re not happy saddens me as well.”
“So you expect me to be happy today? To grin and drink wine and eat cake as though my mother’s life
wasn’t sacrificed for me to be here? I didn’t even get the chance to meet her, Zayd.”
“I didn’t say that. I meant~” Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
“You have your mother, Zayd and she loves you. I have no mother, and Kathrine who was supposed to
be my only shot at actually having a mother, tried to kill me because she thought I was better than her
daughter. You’re lucky you have a family; a sister that desperately awaits your return whenever you
leave, a mother and a father that look out for you, friends and pack members that look up to you…but
what do I have? I barely have a family, my whole pack hates me for a reason I don’t even know. How
am I supposed to be happy?”
“You have me, Quinn…why can’t you let all of that go? Forget about them, pretend as though that
stupid excuse of a pack didn’t exist. How will you heal if you keep lamenting? How will you be happy if
you don’t try?”
“I do try…and sometimes I am. When I’m with you, I’m happy…you’re my only escape, but it seems my
life has been cursed since birth. Kathrine might’ve poisoned mom…but I finished her off. I can try being
happy any other day, but not today. My mother died years ago today and four years back today was
when I found out I’d been mated to Jeo…this day, it’s curse; I’m cursed.”
“Why not? Why can’t you be happy on this day? Her sacrifice will go in vain. She died so you could live.
Even if it had been for a second, I bet she’d been happy to have a brought a life into the world. I’m sad
she died, but I’m happy you were born…it’s all thanks to her that I got to meet such a beautiful soul.”
His arms fell from around her waist, and she turned to face him. “And forget about that idiot, his
importance has diminished to nothing. Everything about him irritates me, even his name. He will reap
what he sowed; karma will give him a hundred times more pain than that which he gave you. But on the
bright side, if he hadn’t been a f*cking idiot, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to meet you. I’m glad he
f*cked up, glad that I have you…after all, your name is Quinn…but I regard you as my Queen.”
“But today…”
“No buts…” Zayd’s thumbs gently swiped her cheeks before he palmed them, kissing her forehead.
“You have a new family now, you’re a part of a new pack. Start anew, be happy, smile…for me.”
Quinn nodded, a small smile taking a stance across her lips.
“Wider Quinn…a big smile, make it believable.”
Quinn wanted to frown, to glare…and mostly to deny his words, but they were true. If nobody here was
her family, he was, and Marcia too. So, her gawky smile widened and only then did he smile too.
“That’s better…no more crying, you look way prettier when you smile.”
“Thanks…” Quinn glanced away from him. “Thanks for always being there even when I push you
away…thanks for loving me even when I don’t have much to offer. Thank you.”
“No need…it’s my duty, but if you really wanna thank me, kiss me.”
Quinn’s eyes drifted back towards him, and she grabbed onto his black button-up shirt, tipping upon
her toes to peck his lips. Fortunately, he held around her waist before she could pull away, taking more
than just a peck from her. His kiss was deep and passionate, but his lips were soft and moist, the ardor
in which they moved leaving her breathless when he pulled away.
He looked around at the balloons and the streamers floating along the floor. “I wanted today to be
perfect, but despite all the work I put in…it didn’t turn out so.”
“No, it was perfect. I’m sorry about the balloons and the decorations. I was angry…like you said before,
let’s cut the cake, you did so much for my birthday, I’m sorry for only thinking about myself and ruining
it.”
“Forget about that…let me feast on this beauty, you’d taste even better with some icing on you.”
“I uh…I don’t think so.”
“Oh, but I do. You can cut the cake…I’ll eat it for you.”
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