Every year on his birthday, Niamh would carefully prepare all of Clifford’s favorite dishes–a fact he never failed to boast about to his old friends, proud of both her cooking and the affection behind it.
So he never expected her to buy him a gift. The meals she made were more than enough.
But this time, Niamh had gotten him something.
Clifford felt both touched and a little wistful. He couldn’t shake the sense that this was Niamh’s way of drawing a clear line between herself and Jonathan.
“What is it, anyway?” Lucy jeered. “Had to get a courier to bring it over–don’t tell me it’s just takeout?”
Everyone at the table was fully roped in by the mystery of this belated birthday present.
Except Jonathan.
Ever since Niamh told him she wanted a divorce and moved out of Jade Peak Manor, he hadn’t given her a cent. She’d never asked, either.
He suspected her gift was probably something handmade–something personal, but inexpensive. A homemade scarf, maybe. Or a cake she baked herself. The sort of sentimental gesture you’d see in a novel or a TV drama.
Marina had similar thoughts. She was curious, sure, but didn’t expect anything too grand. Whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly compare to her own gift.
Clifford carefully unwrapped the package and opened the gift box.
Inside was another box–a violin case.
Clifford’s eyes lit up.
It was a violin case, and nestled inside was, of course, a violin.
His hands trembled as he reached for it.
“Nia… You remembered your granddad’s old dream?”
He had learned to play the violin as a child, and once, his greatest wish had been to perform as a professional violinist. But life had other plans; he joined the army, went into business, and gradually moved further and further away from music.
After Niamh married Into the Thomas family, he’d once mentioned this unfulfilled dream to her, almost in passing. He never imagined she would remember it.
As Clifford lifted the violin from its case, the guests fell silent, stunned.
Even Jonathan was caught off guard. They might not all be violin experts, but in their circles, they certainly knew a thing or two about rare collectibles.
“Nia, is this… is this what I think it is?” Clifford’s old friend was nearly tripping over his tongue in excitement.
“It’s the McDonald Stradivarius,” Niamh replied calmly.
Jonathan’s gaze flicked from the violin to Niamh.
The McDonald Stradivarius–the world’s most expensive violin. Not just rare, but never once auctioned publicly, only traded in private sales. Even the wealthiest collectors could barely dream of laying hands on it.
“Nia, how did you even get this? It must have cost a fortune…” Clifford’s eyes were glistening now, his voice thick with emotion.
“Granddad, you play so beautifully. You deserve a violin worthy of your talent. I asked a friend to help me get it, and they gave me a bit of a discount.” Niamh smiled, her tone light and unassuming.
With the legendary instrument in his hands, Clifford was giddy as a child. He broke into an impromptu performance, the guests breaking out into applause and cheers. Meanwhile, Jonathan noticed Niamh, fiddling with her phone under the table, tapping away at WhatsApp, deep in conversation with someone.
She was indeed chatting:
Linden Sinclair: Professor, I had to practically sell my soul to get you that violin. When are you going to let me hear you play piano again?
Niamh: Sell your soul? Really? Did you even have one to begin with?
Linden: ???
Niamh: Anyway, thanks again. I haven’t played piano in ages, but if you ever come back here, I’ll play organ for you.
Linden: Only if it’s just for me.
Niamh replied with an OK emoji and ended the chat.
When she looked up, she found Jonathan staring straight at her.
21.08
