I Was The Spare Seat The Spare Gift And The Spare Bride novel Chapter 03
That evening we went to my parents’ for dinner, and I remembered—it was my birthday and Naomi’s.
The cake was Liam’s choice. “You two share a birthday, so one cake saves trouble.”
It was beautiful, but the filling was loaded with strawberry chunks. Naomi loved strawberries. I was allergic. And no one seemed to notice.
Liam put in the candles and placed the birthday crown on Naomi’s head. “Naomi, make a wish first.”
I looked at that strawberry cake, at the crown on my sister’s head, at Liam’s warm smile, and I spoke. “Liam.”
“You always bought two of everything. But only one cake.”
“And why am I always the last to choose?”
The room went quiet for a beat. Liam frowned. “It’s been this way for years. What’s with you today?”
Mom shot me a look. “She’s the older one, and she’s better than you at everything. Why wouldn’t she go first? If you were half as good, you’d get the candles.”
I had nothing left to say.
Naomi made her wish. Everyone sang around her. By the time it was my turn, the candles were nearly burnt out. Liam glanced over. “No extra candles. Wishes are whatever—Ella, you can do it next year.”
Twenty years.
Every year, “next year.”
And I never got that next year.
Did an unexceptional kid really not deserve love?
I watched them cut the cake in silence, my mind drifting.
Somehow the conversation turned to the wedding. Mom asked me, “How’s the banquet planning?”
Before I could answer, she turned to Liam. “Oh, Liam—most of your guests are from business circles, right?”
“Naomi just launched that new research product—it’d be perfect to promote at your wedding.”
Liam didn’t hesitate. He smiled and nodded. “Sure, no problem. We’ll cut the host’s love-story segment and let Naomi speak instead.”
Naomi laughed. “We don’t have to cut it—I’ll just say a few words. I don’t want to mess up Ella’s day.”
Liam looked at her seriously. “No way—if you speak, you do it right. I’ll arrange it.”
The three of them chattered eagerly—where to set up the booth, what time she’d go on, whether they needed banner stands. My wedding. Turned into a sales pitch. And no one once asked my opinion.
Good thing this wedding wasn’t happening anyway.
I couldn’t breathe. I escaped to my old bedroom. Liam and my parents waited in the living room. They were streaming the national competition Naomi had entered. Results tonight. Everyone held their breath in front of the screen.
I packed a few things in my parents’ house. Not much. I only took a sketchbook buried at the bottom of the drawer—drawings I’d made as a child.
Naomi won first place. A cheer erupted outside. Laughter, applause, screams.
Then I heard Naomi’s playful complaint. “But the award ceremony is the same day as Ella’s wedding—and none of you can come with me.”
“Such a big moment, and I’ll be all alone. Such a shame.”