an was awakened by the

door and saw Cassie stan

box with a cake in it in her hand. "Archie told me yesterd

as taken

about her own birthday if Ca

Archie would actually

y mentioned it to Cassie, and

und that

took the cake, feeli

imped into the living r

ring candlelight on the cak

ve her for a fleeting moment, but th

about wishing she

like that was the w

s and silently ble

for, Vivian?" Cassi

of cake for Cassie, but foun

appily with her eyes closed, "Tasty! I ad

an could say anything, Ca

hing growing rapid, as patches of red

" Cassie's voice wa

She immediately realized it w

and anti-allergy medication from the first aid kit. When she was about to administ

ormed in

he on the sofa and Vivian holding a sy

ard to snatch the syringe from Vivian's hand and smashi

nto the sharp corner of the coffee table. Struck by

ie reached out t

er over. He said, his voice filled with unprecedented panic, "Do

e up in his arms

filled with overwhelming hatred. "Do you really hate her that muc

a dagger to her heart, lea

without even asking

res, Vivian, clutching her ach

y thing that was supposed to celebrate her r

t was real