It Should Have Been Like This (The Revised Version)

Chapter 74: The Devil's Anniversary

'Ugh, damnit! I'm never getting married in my next life or even having sex,' I grumbled internally as I dragged my weary body towards the kitchen. I had to admit, I was thankful that I had the foresight to bake the cakes and desserts ahead of time — if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had the energy to do anything.

Rominic trailed quietly behind me, his hands clasped innocently behind his back, a maddening smile playing on his lips. He hummed softly as he kept a careful distance of about three paces, not daring to venture closer. I briefly regretted declining his offer to carry me, but I had been too embarrassed at the prospect of the children seeing him with his hands all over me.

Glancing over my shoulder, I caught his gaze, and he flashed me a grin that only served to stoke the fires of my resentment. Why was I the only one suffering? Why did it always fall to me to bear the brunt of his desires?

Huffing in annoyance, I finally made my way into the kitchen, only to pause at the doorway, taking in the scene before me. The children, their faces smeared with frosting, grinned up at me, mirroring their father's infuriating expression. I felt my eye and hand twitch with pure irritation as I planted my fists firmly on my hips, glowering at them all.

I surveyed the scene before me with a sardonic tilt of my head. "So, I suppose tradition holds no sway now that you have an abundance of cakes to consume," I remarked, my gaze settling pointedly on Zayne, who had nearly cleared his entire dessert.

"And all five cakes have been devoured?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "Are you all trying to end up in the hospital?"

Zach raised his hands in a pretense of innocence. "In my defense, I left half of mine in the fridge," he said quickly, before swatting Savia's hand away as she reached for his cake.

"Ow!" Savvy cried, cradling her hand. "Don't be so stingy, you tiny brat," she chided.

Zach's eyes narrowed into slits as he spat, "Mind your own cake, you flat-chested witch."

Savvy gasped in outrage, her hand instinctively flying to her chest. I couldn't help but wonder what new absurdity was unfolding before me.

"Did you see that, Mom?" Savvy shrieked. "Zach is mocking my womanhood!" She continued to reach for Zach's cake, undeterred by his aggression.

Serene leveled a flat stare at Savvy. "What 'womanhood,' Savvy? You've only just turned nine today," she interjected, slapping Zyaire's hand away from the last slice of Zayne's cake.

"Hey, hold on!" I exclaimed, drawing their attention. "Focus on your heartbroken mother here! You all forgot our tradition!" The tradition wasn't anything grand — each year on their birthdays, I baked a large cake, and we each made an icing flower of the chosen other's preferred flower. For instance, Zayne might request a pink rose, and someone else would then create that flower for him.

Zyaire met my gaze with an accusing stare. "Mom, you slept until noon. We couldn't wait any longer," he complained.

Nic then stepped forward, placing his hand on my left shoulder and resting his chin on my right, wrapping his other arm around my waist and pulling me close. I threw him a withering glare, only to be met with his puckered lips, igniting a rage within me.

I tried to nudge him away, but his grip was unyielding. I squirmed, attempting to free myself, yet he merely laughed, tightening his hold. "Let go of me, you menace!" I cried. "This is all your fault!"

Savvy leveled an arched brow at me. "Mom, you're the one who got drunk," she stated flatly.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but quickly sealed it, realizing that any such explanation would require delving into the activities of their parents behind closed doors — something I'd rather avoid.