Chapter 28
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But Ginny placed the brocade box back into Autumn’s hands. “No matter how valuable it is, it’s meant to be worn. Once it’s gifted to you, it’s yours. Go on, take it.
“Your sister’s been eyeing those bangles for a while. She even dropped hints about them around her birthday a few days ago, but I didn’t give them to her. I saved these especially for you p>
Autumn nodded, a little touched. “Thank you, Grandma p>
Only her grandmother ever truly cared for her in the Lewis family.
The rest would be glad if she never came home again.
Ginny gently patted her on the head. “Good girl. To me, you’re the real gem of this family. I just wish I could do more for you.
“But don’t worry, none of my things will go to Luna. Everything I have will be yours p>
Before Autumn could respond, the cake arrived.
Irene brought in the large box, and the sweet scent drifted in from afar.
It was her favorite–strawberry cake.
Autumn suddenly recalled the mango cake Julian had gotten her ten days ago.
That was the difference between someone who cared and someone who didn’t.
Being cherished like this felt so good.
Ginny got up to take the cake and pulled Autumn over to unwrap it.
Just like when she was little, her grandmother picked out the biggest strawberry for her.
“Autumn, come try this fresh big strawberry and tell me if it’s good p>
When she was a child, Autumn had been a little foodie–always rushing to grab what she liked the moment it appeared.
So, Ginny still remembered that habit.
The thought brought a shimmer of moisture to Autumn’s eyes.
She took the strawberry and bit into it.
It was sweet and tangy, better than any she’d had before.
“Mmm, Grandma, it’s delicious,” she said with a bright smile, finishing the whole thing in one bite.
Ginny affectionately ruffled her hair. “You’re still the same little foodie you were as a kid p>
During lunch, Ginny asked Autumn to make a wish.
Chapter 28
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Autumn folded her hands, closed her eyes, and made her wish:
“I hope Grandma stays healthy, and I hope life will go smoothly for me from now on p>
After blowing out the candles, she received a message from Zack: “Happy birthday, Autumn. Wishing you joy always p>
Then came a transfer notification.
She hadn’t wanted to accept it at first, but Zack kept insisting until she gave in.
Soon after, her uncle and aunt also sent her birthday messages and digital gift cards.
Autumn accepted them all with genuine joy.
It felt so good to be remembered.
Ginny glanced at Autumn’s phone screen, a trace of sorrow flickering in her eyes.
“Autumn, you still keep in touch with your third uncle’s family p>
Autumn was in the middle of accepting virtual gifts and nodded happily.
“Yeah, they’ve always been so kind to me. After all these years, they still remember my birthday p>
“That’s good p>
A hint of relief flashed across Ginny’s face.
Autumn hadn’t received much love from her parents or brother, but being doted on by her third uncle’s family was a blessing
Back then, she had married off her second daughter just to afford Richard’s education.
But her daughter ended up with the wrong man and died tragically, taking her unborn child with her.
Her third son, Henry, had held that grudge ever since.
All these years, he’d never been able to forgive them.
The only time he brought his family back was when his father passed away.
It was to pay their final respects.
That moment of favoritism had cost them a daughter, and it remained the deepest wound of Ginny’s life.
It was also why she couldn’t stand the partiality shown by the rest of the Lewis family.
People who played favorites rarely met a good end–it was a painful lesson burned into her memory.
Seeing her grandmother’s eyes turn red, Autumn gently pulled her down to sit beside her and cut her a slice of
cake.
“Grandma, don’t be sad. This year, the first slice of my birthday cake is for you p>
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Chapter 28
She understood where the tension between her grandmother and her third uncle’s family came from.
She had tried to help them make peace before, but every time they met, it always ended badly.
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